EV Charging Etiquette – Simple Dos and Don’ts

There are a few rules to follow when charging at a public charging station. We have listed them below. 

Do not park in a spot with a charger if you will not be charging your vehicle 

This rule applies to public fast charging and level two fast charging points. You will be able to tell it is a space reserved for charging if there is a charging station installed in the space. There might also be signage. These spaces should be reserved for people who need to charge their vehicles. Thus, if you do not need to charge, leave that parking spot free for someone who might.

Only use as much charging as you need

This rule can be a bit hard to grasp. Charging speeds, particularly at fast charging stations, significantly drop once the battery is at 80% state of charge. If an 80% charge will be sufficient to get to your destination, it is strongly recommended to stop charging once the vehicle reaches 80%. That way, you make the charger available for someone who needs it more.  Keeping the battery at between 20 to 80% state of charge also extends the battery life.

Monitor your charge percentage when away from vehicle

You might want to step away from your vehicle while it’s charging. It is important to monitor charge progress so that you can return to your vehicle when charging is complete and move your vehicle (so the charger is available for other drivers). Some companies (for example, Tesla) charge a fee when vehicle charging is complete but the vehicle is still plugged in. 

Most car manufacturers provide a phone app to help you monitor vehicle charging away from the vehicle. 

Handle charging cables with care

Damaged cables are the number one cause of charging station failure. No one likes to arrive at a charging station only to find out it is not working. So,  it is imperative that you handle the charging station cable with care as they are prone to damage.  Take precautions not to drop the cable and place it back on the hook or holster when done charging. Also, park your vehicle to minimize distance between the charging port and the charge so that you limit unnecessary yanking and pulling of the cable. 

Be considerate to other drivers 

Like charging at a gas station, it is important to be considerate to other drivers. For example, get in queue if charging stations are occupied. 

Because charging takes longer than filling up with gas, there are a few other things to keep in mind. First, do not unplug or try to unplug someone else’s car.  Keep noise levels down while charging and do not litter the area around the chargers. 

You might also want to leave a note on your vehicle when you step away so that other drivers who may have a more urgent need for charging can reach you.