Public Plug-In Electric Vehicle Charge Etiquette

Until electric car charging gets to be as fast as pumping gas, there will have to be some decent sharing going on.  Like the classic “nobody is watching” scenario, people act very differently when there’s no other person around to tell them that they should probably wait their turn at the charging station.    A person may desperately need to use the charging station, because they know that if they don’t start getting some charge now, they may not be able to get to their next appointment on time.

The change from the old standard, that we've all lived with for our entire lives, is that getting fuel has its costs..  Fueling a gas vehicle takes a few minutes and may cost a lot, but fueling an electric will take a while and won’t cost much.  This is the trade off.  If you don’t have a lot of time, it’s too late to complain that your electric car takes an hour to charge.  

Pure Battery Electric

Consider that people who drive pure battery electric vehicles cannot merely visit a gas station to refuel, where those with plug-in hybrid vehicles can. Although plug-in hybrid vehicle drivers would like to charge as much as the next electric vehicle driver, they have an alternative. Thereby, it would only seem fair to allow the pure battery electric vehicle driver to get a full charge.

Plug-in Lock

Some electric vehicles have a locking ability to maintain control over the plug until charging is complete, but not all do. In line with the ideal of the Charging Etiquette it would be considered appropriate to leave any plug connected until charging is complete. Fortunately, if the vehicle does not have an indicator for the charge, the station does. Once charging is complete, the station will terminate and disconnect the lock (if there is one).

Owners of Electric Vehicles should not be offended if the charging has been completed and another person takes the plug. However, as charging stations are, as yet, not ubiquitous, it is prudent to track one's vehicle status and move the vehicle once charging has completed.

Do unto others...

It's reasonable to think that the best situation is not the most common and that there will be occasions when you or another is in some form of peril. The justifications are innumerable, but it is how we handle them that it is important.

• If you are in need of charge and the plug is taken, it is reasonable to leave a note on the windshield of the current user.  
• You may want to leave your mobile number and kind remark for a future response time.
• If your vehicle has finished charging, please considerate of others and move your vehicle to another space.
• If you need a charge and you can see clearly that the other has finished, remove the plug with the same care that you would for your own vehicle.  
• Please try not to lay the cable across the other vehicle or wrap it tightly around any wheels or bumper.  
• If the cable will not reach, do not force or attempt to stretch it.
• Make no assumptions about the state of the other vehicle.
• You do not know the situation of the other EV owner, as to whether they have a back up generator or that you feel that they have "enough" charge.
• You do not have the right to unplug a hybrid plug-in, regardless.

Getting ICE'd

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles are still by far the most prevalent vehicle on the road.  Although you may be aware of the latest trend in fuel efficiency and electric vehicles, not everyone is aware yet.  More than likely a person that parks an ICE vehicle in an EV space is not aware of the mistake and leaving a hurtful note will not bring them to justice.  

It is appropriate to leave a note to help in informing the population of the distinction.  It is not appropriate to verbally punish a person for that mistake. As the saying goes "a little kindness can go a long way."


A more concise list of these ideals can be found via PlugInCars.com