The rate of increase in charging points in Europe increased from 34% to 37% between 2023 and 2024, and total charging capacity increased an impressive 49%! That’s great news for the 4.5 million owners of battery-operated electric cars, some of who may travel long distances and need to rely on charging stations. Of course, using public charging stations can get a bit frustrating if users don’t observe common rules of courtesy. Remember to bring an EV portable charger in case the queues are too long, or you’re in an area where there are no stations. If you do use a charging point, meanwhile, make sure you adhere to established etiquette so that the experience is as smooth and efficient for yourself and everyone else.
Use Charging Spots Only to Charge Your Vehicle
Charging spots are often located near malls and other recreational buildings, and when parking spots are scarce, some individuals use charging station bays to simply park. These bays are exclusively available to EVs that are actively charging their vehicles. If you leave your vehicle in one of these spots, you could preclude someone who urgently needs an energy top-up from accessing it.
Leave Your Car at the Charging Bay Only During the Time It Is Charging
Depending on how busy your charging station is, consider charging your car up to 80% State of Charge (SoC) only. Most EVs charge fastest between 20% and 80%, meaning there is a considerable slow-down between 80% and 100%. If you don’t absolutely need a 100% charge, consider leaving earlier, so others can use the charger. Make it a point to regularly check the state of the charging process, so your vehicle doesn’t remain in the bay longer than you require it to. When you’re done, return the cable to the holder, making sure it is neatly coiled to prevent the risk of trips and falls. Keep the area clean so that others do not have to tidy up the area after you leave.
Know Your EV’s Charging Capabilities
All EVs have maximum charging speeds. For instance, a Nissan Leaf’s maximum charging speed may be 100kW, a Tesla Model Y may be around 250kW, while a Porsche Taycan might be around 320kW. If you arrive at a charging station and your vehicle’s maximum charging speed is 100kW, avoid using a 350kW charger. Doing so will not save you any time; your vehicle will charge at the same speed. By choosing the right charger, you will free up higher-powered chargers for vehicles that require it. In case you wonder why stations have chargers with different charging levels, it is because fast charging stations cost more to install than slower-charging ones. Because the needs of vehicles vary greatly, it makes sense for stations to invest in chargers with various speeds.
Go the Extra Mile
If you have to leave your car at a charging station, and you cannot say, with all certainty, what time you will be back, leave a note for others. Let them know your estimated time of return in case they wish to make time until you get back. If you don’t leave a note, they may think you’ll just leave your vehicle there all day and leave to find another charging station. Consider downloading an app like Chargemap, PlugShare, or Zap-Map, which allows you to interact with other app users. This type of app locates charging stations and is therefore handy to have if you are in a new area or travelling long distances.
Never Unplug Another Person’s Vehicle
It can get frustrating when you’re waiting to charge your car, and you see another car taking up a charging bay when it has already been fully or almost charged. However, it is advised to never touch another car, as it could make you very unpopular with its owner. Moreover, most charging connectors are designed to stay locked until owners return. Unplugging another vehicle could also disrupt payments or charging records or, in the worst case, damage someone’s vehicle or the charging equipment itself.
Even though you have a home charger, chances are, at some point in your EV’s lifetime, you may need to rely on charging stations. If so, following the basic rule of etiquette keeps the charging process smooth and conflict-free for everyone. These rules include parking in a charging bay only while your car is charging, not overstaying your welcome, and not touching others’ property.
