As electric vehicles are becoming more popular, the number of charging stations that keep them road ready is rapidly growing. Like any shared resource, using EV charging points comes with a set of unspoken rules to ensure EV charging is a positive experience for everyone.
Let’s dive into the dos and don’ts of EV charging etiquette, ensuring a smooth and considerate experience for everyone. That way, the EV charging ecosystem will stay humming harmoniously, and everyone can drive away faster and happier.
DO: treat your charger with care
EV chargers are precious resources – and expensive pieces of technology, so treat them with care. Position your vehicle within the designated parking space to align correctly with the cable. Before handling the charging cable or connector, ensure your hands are clean and be gentle with it. Yanking or forcefully plugging an EV charger could damage the equipment and your EV. After charging, neatly coil the charging cable and secure it in its holder or designated storage area so it’s ready for its next user.
DON’T: take a charging spot without plugging in
Not only does this take someone’s charging opportunity away, it’s also possible you may be left with a $128 on-the-spot fine. ACT drivers that use EV charging spaces without charging or block their access with a petrol or diesel-powered vehicle (commonly referred to as ICE-ing) may face fines of up to $3,200, while EV owners may receive a $128 penalty.
DO: charge up and drive off
Lingering longer than needed at the charging point will only wind-up other drivers waiting for their turn, similarly to if you were at a traditional petrol station. Be mindful of the charging station’s limits – some places only allow you a designated time window. Morning and evening rush hours tend to be the busiest, so why not plan your public charging ahead of time to avoid charging queue tailbacks.
DON’T: experience road rage
Motorists taking forever to recharge or blocking access lanes? Despite how infuriating other EV drivers’ behaviour may be, be the better driver and lead by example. Honking or yelling with impatience or frustration will only disrupt the charging environment and create unwanted conflict.
DO: be a good charging citizen
When you arrive at a charging station, checking in to your location via the Plugshare app allows you to update or report any relevant information that ultimately helps maintain a seamless experience for electric vehicle users. When you come across a faulty charger or a cable on its last legs, do the right thing and report it. Charging station operators rely on user reports to identify problems. When you report a broken charger, you contribute to prompt maintenance and repairs, reducing downtime for the charging point. Not only does reporting issues helps charging networks understand usage patterns and areas of improvement, you’ll also save other drivers the frustration of finding them out-of-order.
DON’T: unplug your neighbour
You’re late for work, and the driver in front of you is taking forever to charge. Resist the temptation to unplug their charger. Yes, they may be taking ages, however, they may have planned their charging based on specific distance needs. All EV users deserve equal access to charging infrastructure. By leaving chargers connected until a session is complete, you contribute to a level playing field for everyone. Repeatedly unplugging chargers could lead to premature wear and tear on connectors and cables. Additionally, it can be hazardous to forcefully pull out plugs.
Summary
- Treat chargers with care, charge up and leave and report faulty charging stations.
- Don’t park in a charging spot if you don’t need to use it, display road rage or unplug other charging vehicles.
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