EV Charging Etiquette: Five Things to Consider at an EV Charge Station
Many motorists will have witnessed some unwarranted behaviour across the petrol station forecourt, and unfortunately, EV drivers might experience the same kind of thing at charging stations.
Wherever the facilities, be that in your local hospitality or leisure venue or a town centre ChargeYard, it’s vital to stay mindful of other drivers and pay close attention to how and why you’re charging your vehicle.
As an essential player in the EV sector, RAW Charging is perfectly placed to offer its expert advice on the do’s and don’ts when charging your vehicle. Continue below for their five-point list of etiquette.
- Only use charging facilities if you own an EV.Okay, this might seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised. You should only ever use EV facilities if you drive an electric vehicle.Many ICE drivers (Internal Combustion Engine) will see an empty bay and presume it’s a vacant parking spot, much to the frustration of EV drivers looking to replenish their batteries.If you’re an ICE driver, pay attention to the easily distinguishable markings placed behind the charging bay, on the bay itself, and look out for the charge point itself.
- Only park at a charging bay if you intend to charge your EV.
Leading on from our previous point, EV drivers should only enter a vacant charge bay if they need to charge their vehicle.Unfortunately, the temptation can be too much when parking spaces are scarce. No matter how quickly you plan to return to your EV, you should only take up a charging bay if you use its facilities as intended.
- Vacate the charging bay as soon as your EV is sufficiently charged.
It’s also the correct etiquette to unplug your EV and vacate the bay as soon as your vehicle has charged to your desired amount.Hogging facilities to keep holding of a parking space won’t win you any favours, and an EV driver holding onto a bay for longer than necessary might mean the difference between another driver running out of charge or making it to their destination.
- Avoid using rapid charging facilities if your EV is incapable of a fast charge.
Again, this may seem obvious – but EVs that can’t rapidly charge (whether mistakenly or not) often take up rapid charging bays.Although some rapid charging facilities may have AC sockets that allow PHEVs (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles) a top-up charge, these vehicles should only do so in an emergency.Given that a PHEV can still travel using fossil fuels should its battery run low, the need for a rapid charge is unlikely, and bays should be left for vehicles that require those facilities, particularly when utilising En Route Charging.
- Consider the needs of other EV drivers.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you should always consider other drivers around you when assessing your need for charging – and how long you will charge your EV.For example, if your journey doesn’t require a full charge, making do with a top-up and freeing up the charging bay is a simple yet considerate effort.
Regarding workplace charging, it’s vital to be mindful of how busy the site is and how many of your staff or coworkers require EV charging. If you can do without charging your EV during your working day, leave a bay free for those that might be unable to charge at home – particularly if you live nearby.
Of course, a surefire means of keeping all EV drivers happy and fully charged is to install EV facilities (or additional charge points to existing sites).
RAW Charging covers an incredible variety of Sectors, supplying many businesses with EV charging and even turning disused land into profitable ChargeYards.
For more information, browse RAW’s flexible Ownership Options and contact the team for an assessment of your site.