Charging Etiquette for EV Drivers
EVs have been around since the 1800s but they have only been popularised within the past few years.
Industry giants such as Tesla, Nissan, Chevrolet, and many more car brands are hitting the roads with their own EV models. Despite EVs being widespread these days, many people (including EV drivers) are still unaware of standard charging etiquette. Just like parking within the lines is par for the course in general parking etiquette, using public charging stations also has its rules. In this blog, we breakdown several simple rules that all drivers should be aware of.
1. If your car is not charging, move it.
The golden rule of EVs is to never park in an EV charging spot if your car is not charging. EV drivers that are on low battery may depend on finding a charge point at their destination and there is nothing worse than someone occupying a charge point when they are not using it. Likewise, If you have been plugged in and charging at an EV spot, it’s common courtesy to move your car once you’ve reached sufficient charge to free the space up for someone else – they are for charging, not for parking after all. There are only so many public charge points available and to block one needlessly will lead to some angry drivers. Don’t be that person!
For petrol and diesel powered cars, parking in an EV charging spot is known as ICE-ing (because of the ‘internal combustion engine’) and can lead to a fine or your car being towed. If you see someone ICE-ing an EV spot, don’t be rude and give EV drivers a bad name. Instead, leave them a message and educate them on EV driver etiquette so that next time they can make the right decision.
2. Plan out your charging times.
As there are only a limited amount of charge points, access to public chargers usually go by basis of first-come first-serve. To avoid waiting times, use the Shell Recharge app which gives you a list of available charge points around your destination.
In addition, be mindful of how long your car will need to reach full charge and consider moving it to a regular parking spot so that others can charge as well. If you can’t move your vehicle but your car has reached full charge, Shell Recharge Solutions charge points offer a ‘remote charge point control’ feature that can unlock the cable from another location. Share the charge and be considerate toward your fellow EV drivers.
3. Respect the charge point and cables.
If the public charge point you are using has public cables attached, please make sure to put them back where you found them. Never leave them lying on the ground as this can be a tripping hazard for pedestrians and can damage the cables. Cables on the ground can be stepped on and are subject to elements such as rain or snow, damaging and preventing them from being used. To summarise, treat the charge point and its cover with respect and try not to dirty it unnecessarily.
4. Desperate for a charge? It’s alright to ask.
If your EV is running on very low power and all charge points are being used, it’s fine to leave a note. Nicely ask the owner to plug-in your car after their session is complete and if you receive a similar note, try and help your fellow EV-enthusiast.
Consider other charging solutions.
Although public chargers are much more readily available than before, there is still the factor of first-come first-serve that can be an inconvenience to some people. If you experience issues with public charging often, consider charging solutions like Home Charging or Office Charging. With loads of services and features, charging has never been more convenient.