EV Charging Etiquette: Don’t be a CHARGEHOLE!!😠
Public charging is a new experience for a growing number of people. Unfortunately that means there’s going to be more and more people unfamiliar with the “unspoken rules” around appropriate behaviors and etiquette at crowded charging stations.
Here’s my quick guide on how not to be a CHARGEHOLE when charging at a public station:
1. Wait Your Turn: Charging Lines Aren’t Always Obvious
When arriving at a public charging site, take a look around and see if there are other folks in EVs waiting in their cars. If there are, then it’s likely they are waiting for an open charger. Just because there appears to be an open charger, it doesn’t mean that it’s actually open or working. Usually, when there appears to be a line and an open charger, there’s a reason no one is using the “open charger”.
2. Be Friendly, Not Annoying: Wave Before Engaging w/ Someone
I love how EV drivers are generally friendly and helpful to each other. From providing useful info like “That charger’s been down since last week” to “There’s another charger about 30 miles if the wait’s too bad.”
But be wary that as more folks start traveling in their EV, this helpfulness may not be well received. In general, I try to make eye contact and wave first before approaching someone. Because you never know if they’re actually talking to someone in their car, or just plain don’t want to be bothered…
3. 80% State of Charge, Please: Don’t Charge to 100% Unless You Need To
If you didn’t know, I am telling you now; charging above 80% state of charge (SOC) is not necessary nor good for your battery’s health. I’ve come across many folks that get “free charging” with their new EV and feel that they need to charge up to 100% every time to maximize this benefit. This is not true, please read the fine print and the conditions for this benefit for the sake of your car’s long term battery health and everyone else waiting for the charger.
4. Don’t “Abandon Your Vehicle”: Be Aware of When “The Meter Is Up”
This rule applies especially at DC Fast Charging (DCFC) sites. It’s ok to leave your vehicle to partake in some of the surrounding amenities, but with the limited number of public DCFC’s today (many of which are strategically located in critical corridors), please make sure you don’t leave your vehicle beyond it’s needed charge. There’s likely a line of people waiting…
5. For Charging Only: Only Use the Space When You’re Charging
I know that on occasion, charging spots can be in great locations in the parking lot, but like in the rule above, taking a spot at a DCFC if you don’t need a charge is uncalled for.
6. Prevent Broken Handles: Put the Charging Handle Back Properly
Public charging stations have a hard enough time working when it’s hot outside. Leaving handles on the ground to get damaged by vehicles and god knows what else doesn’t help the situation.
7. Be Respectful: Don’t Leave a Mess
This seems self explanatory. Now I know that a lot of stations don’t have garbage cans for some reason, but there’s usually some place of business somewhat nearby that has a garbage can. If not, I usually have a small garbage bag in my vehicle to clean up at the end of a long day of driving.
Also, this should be obvious, graffiti and mean commentary are not welcomed anywhere…
8. Breathe: Be Mindful That They May Not Know
Like I mentioned before, there’s a lot of new folks that may not know many of these “unspoken rules” of public charging. In general, I think it’s always good to calmly wave and speak to people to make sure we both understand the full situation of what’s happening around us so that we can make the best decision that’s good for everyone.
For instance, I’ve had to park in an adjacent spot like the person in the picture below because despite Electrify America claiming it was working, it was not…
