There aren’t many hard and fast rules when it comes to using the public charging network but there’s plenty of EV charging etiquette that helps everyone top up in the smoothest, fastest and most stress-free way.
And as the number of electric vehicles on the road continue to soar, it’s more important than ever to brush up on your charging decorum and understand how to plug-in considerately when you’re out and about among other EV drivers.
Here are a few helpful dos and don’ts to be used when you’re using a rapid charger which will score points with your fellow drivers and make life with an electric vehicle an even better experience for everyone.
The GRIDSERVE Electric Highway Code of Conduct
1. No dock blocking
This is a big one and often referred to as ‘ICEing’. Please don’t park your car, either electric or internal combustion engine (hence the ICE) vehicle, in a designated EV charging space if you don’t need to.
Many electric vehicle drivers have pulled up to find an ICE vehicle parked in a public EV charging bay not using the charger, and it’s frustrating to say the least. You are either parking or charging. You can park any in almost any space but make sure you are charging in a charging bay, otherwise it’s just bad EV charging etiquette.
2. Don’t overstay
We’re not suggesting that you speed off the moment you reach desired capacity, but please be mindful of other EV drivers. Familiarise yourself with how long your EV takes to charge and periodically check on your vehicle while enjoying your dwell time. Charging session status will show on the charger screen or, if you’re enjoying a coffee away from your car, the GRIDSERVE app will provide a real-time status update.
Also, be aware that the charging speed will start to slow as your electric car battery reaches 80%. This happens because the battery is protecting itself. It’s called a charging curve and by trying to add those few extra miles you could be stopping someone else from connecting. Better to head off and recharge later, when you’ll be able to top up faster.
3. Choose your electric vehicle charger wisely
When you first pull up to a charge point, remember to choose a charger that will accommodate your specific vehicle’s charging needs. This decision is dependent on the charger’s ability to deliver a certain amount of power (kW), along with the capability of your car to receive that level of power. Most GRIDSERVE locations come with a variety of ultra-rapid and rapid chargers to suit all types of vehicles.
For instance, there’s a growing number of High Power chargers that can deliver up to 350kW of power. They are being installed to support the future of net zero transport, but many EVs can’t currently accept that level of charge. Instead, you might be better suited to a Medium Power charger (or a Low Power AC charger) if you’re not in a rush.
4. Do communicate with fellow EV drivers
A generally considerate bunch, EV drivers often leave a note on their windshields to pass on information to other drivers on how long they plan to charge. If a site is particularly busy then speak to other drivers to understand who’s next up in the charging bay and avoid jumping the queue.
5. Do look after the charging cable
When your EV charging is finished, always be sure to return the connector back to its port. Aside from damaging the device and the potential health and safety issues, a connector and cable left dangling or dropped across the charging bay will hinder the next driver who comes along. After all, you wouldn’t discard a petrol pump on the floor.
6. Don’t unplug someone else’s connector
Unplugging another driver’s connector from the port is not cool and most definitely bad electric vehicle charging etiquette. In most cases, the connector will stay locked in place until the driver returns anyway. If you are running out of time, you can consult the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway map for another available public EV charging location in the area.
7. Do make the charging area a comfortable zone for all
At GRIDSERVE we’ve been delighted to see the vast majority of electric car drivers working together. If you’re new to the world of EV charging, please continue this trend by keeping your stereo down, paying attention to your fellow motorists and placing any rubbish in a nearby bin.
8. Don’t press the emergency stop button
Unless you have a problem, please don’t use the emergency stop button on the charge point to finish your charging session. Doing so will cause the charger to go offline for the next user. Simply tap your contactless card (or stop via the app) to finish your session.
9. Do share advice and experiences
EV drivers love to share information and tips, so take advantage of this. Get involved and support your friends or fellow electric car buddies with suggestions to pool your knowledge.
Join the conversation via our social media channels, @GRIDSERVE_HQ on Twitter, @gridserve.hq on Instagram, @GRIDSERVE.ENERGY on Facebook and @gridserve on TikTok.
