Unplugging when you are done charging, charging to 80%, and keeping charging bays unobstructed are important rules of EV charging etiquette. By adhering to these simple tips, everyone can have a better charging experience
With around 150,000 electric vehicles in Australia, knowing and following charging etiquette is more important than ever. Here are 14 EV charging tips to follow to ensure a smooth experience for you and other drivers.
14 Important Rules of EV Charging Etiquette
- Don’t Use Charging Stations as Parking Spaces
- Move Your EV Once It Is Done Charging
- Don’t Park Non-Electric Vehicles at EV Charging Stations
- Leave the Charging Station in Good Condition
- Consider Abiding by the 80 Percent Rule
- Know Your EV
- Avoid Doubling Up
- Park with Other Drivers in Mind
- Plan Ahead if You Are Towing a Trailer
- Form a Queue
- Keep Other Drivers Informed
- Be Willing to Help
- Monitor Your Charging Progress
- Do Not Unplug Other Vehicles
1. Don’t Use Charging Stations as Parking Spaces
The number one rule of EV charging etiquette: only park at a charging spot if you are actively charging.
Charging stations are not free parking spaces. If you aren’t actively charging your car, do not take up charging spaces. An increasing number of states are implementing fines for doing so.
2. Move Your EV Once It Is Done Charging
Another one of the worst offenses an EV driver can make is leaving their EV plugged in longer than needed. No one wants to sit and watch their EV charge, so it is fine to leave to browse a store or grab a snack.
Just be mindful of returning before the charge is complete. Once your EV is charged, move it immediately to free up the charging space.
3. Don’t Park Non-Electric Vehicles at EV Charging Stations
Here’s another big rule of EV charging: Do not park non-electric vehicles in charging spaces.
Parking a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) in a charging spot is known as ICEing. Blocking a charging station this way can result in hefty fines.
4. Leave the Charging Station in Good Condition
Aim to leave the charging station in the condition you found it, or better, by doing these things:
- Hang up the charging cord to ensure it doesn’t get damaged or tangled, or cause someone to trip
- Do not leave any rubbish behind
- Pick up any rubbish you see
- Notify any damage or impaired charging units to the NRMA or charging operator
- Post updates on the PlugShare app to alert other EV drivers of a damaged charging station
5. Consider Abiding by the 80 Percent Rule
It is your right to charge to 100 percent. But when possible, it can keep everything moving faster if you only charge your EV to 80 percent or less.
This is because an EV’s charge time dramatically slows once it nears full charge. During peak charge times or especially busy stations, consider unplugging once your car is around 80 percent charged.
6. Know Your EV
Even though a charging station may offer 350kW of power, it doesn’t mean your EV can utilise it. It is important to know what your EV is capable of handling in terms of charging power.
Only a handful of EVs can get close to the full 350kW from ultra-rapid chargers. So, if you have to choose between a 50kW or 350kW charger, leave the ultra-rapid chargers for EVs that can actually utilise them.
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7. Avoid Doubling Up
The grid and cables are limited in how much electricity they can supply to a charging station. If two EVs plug in at once, the fast charger may cut the power in half.
If you arrive at a bay of chargers with another electric vehicle plugged in, avoid plugging into the same charging unit. If possible, choose a nearby unit instead.
8. Park with Other Drivers in Mind
Park mindfully to make sure other drivers can easily access the charging stations.
Ensure you don’t block other drivers by following these EV etiquette tips for parking:
- Park within the defined charging bay area
- Don’t allow the nose or tail of your EV to be outside the defined area
- If there are several bays open and you have a smaller vehicle, use the tighter parking space if possible
- Know which side your EV’s charging port is on so you can park accordingly
- Park at the correct plug type for your EV
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9. Plan Ahead if You Are Towing a Trailer
Most charging stations only have room for the car. If you are towing a trailer, be prepared to unhitch it if needed. This ensures you aren’t blocking other charging stations. You can also use the PlugShare app to research charging stations ahead of time to make an appropriate plan.
10. Form a Queue
During peak holiday times or at busy charging stations, you may run into a queue of other drivers. Make sure you take your proper place in the queue. When in doubt, ask another driver where the line starts and finishes.
11. Keep Other Drivers Informed
Many fast charging stations display the EV’s current state of charge. This lets other drivers know approximately how long they have to wait.
However, if you are planning to wait until 100 percent charge, it can be considerate to leave a note to inform other drivers. The PlugShare app is another excellent option for staying connected to other drivers.
12. Be Willing to Help
With thousands of new EVs on the roads, there are bound to be plenty of drivers getting used to using public fast chargers. If a fellow driver needs help understanding a charging station or has questions, be willing to lend some assistance.
13. Monitor Your Charging Progress
There are a variety of apps that allow you to check your EV’s charging progress. This allows you to know exactly when to return to unplug and move out of the space. This rule is particularly important during peak times.
Remember, these apps can only predict an approximate finish time for charging. Certain factors, such as the weather, can affect charge times. Always aim to return ahead of time, just in case your vehicle finishes charging faster than expected.
Also, be aware that some stations have charging time limits. To learn more about how fast EV cars charge, see our guide here: How Fast Do Electric Vehicles Charge? Our Charge Time Guide.
14. Do Not Unplug Other Vehicles
Locking mechanisms make it nearly impossible to unplug an EV while charging. Still, even if you can, do not unplug other vehicles. Even if a vehicle appears fully charged, it is still someone else’s property.
Support the EV Community as a Whole with Good Charging Etiquette
As more and more Australians choose electric vehicles, we need to work together to practice good EV charging station etiquette.
By adhering to EV charging etiquette, the charging experience can be better for you and everyone involved.
