Electric vehicles are swiftly becoming the norm on our roadways. Lately, you may have noticed a Tesla Model Y gracefully gliding on the interstate or a family emptying their belongings from a Honda Prologue at a soccer match. They are omnipresent. Nonetheless, this brings forth a serious consequence: an unprecedented number of cars needing a plug-in connection.
Charging in bustling urban areas has often resulted in encountering packed or overfilled charging points. Hence, it's essential for operators to understand the approved conduct for swift and considerate charging encounters. Much like the road regulations, there are charging norms. Feyree has painstakingly crafted five primary principles to make sure all EV operators experience a hassle-free charging experience.
More Information on Charging
Chevrolet Equinox EV: The Cost of Charging It?
Charging At Tesla Superchargers Is Becoming More Affordable
Simplified 'Plug And Charge' Is Soon To Be Available For All EVs
Norm #1: Always Plug in If You're Occupying an EV Spot
The fundamental principle while utilizing a public charger to charge an electric vehicle is to always plug in. This norm is pertinent to all chargers, primarily level 2 stations at workplaces, hotels, or shopping complexes. Simply put, if you're occupying a charging berth, you need to plug in. If your vehicle has sufficient charge and doesn't need to be plugged in, you should locate a standard parking spot.
Charging spaces are intended for vehicular charging, not to be occupied by vehicles. 'ICE'ing' is a term used for a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle that willingly occupies an EV spot. It is inconsiderate and irritating when this happens. When an EV doesn't plug in, it's a similar situation. There's a vehicle hindering others from using the charger.
With the surge of EVs on the road, charging spaces are more likely to be used. Certain people are dependent on these chargers for their everyday commuting. Therefore, if you come across an open charging space and need a charge, plug in!
Norm #2: Vacate Your Car After Charging
In continuation with the previous rule, you should always free up a charging spot after the completion of a charging session. Once your vehicle is fully charged, the spot should be released for others to charge. Particularly in hotels, many EV operators might have organized their journey considering an overnight charging halt. Therefore, if your vehicle is fully charged at late night, the considerate act would be to unplug and find another spot.
Most DC fast charging points impose idle charges, implying you will be billed if your vehicle is fully charged and still connected. Tesla levies an idle fee of up to $1.00 per minute, reliant on station rush. Therefore, if your vehicle has completed charging, it's time to locate another parking spot.
Norm #3: Charging Within the Optimal Range
While every electric vehicle in the market exhibits varying charging profiles, generally, they charge quicker at depleted states of charge. This implies that during long drives, it can be more time-saving to "bottom charge" your vehicle. For instance, the Model Y takes approximately 33 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent. However, it takes an additional 30 minutes to go from 80 to 100. In essence, if the next charging stop is in proximity, waiting to "top charge" the battery is not worth it.
Certain operators have EVs that come with complimentary charging subscriptions. BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen (not anymore), and Hyundai are among the automakers that equip their electric vehicles with unrestricted 30-minute charging durations on Electrify America. While complimentary charging is undeniably a perk, some operators enjoy fully utilizing the offer by charging from, say, 60 to 100% while shopping.
While there's nothing wrong with capitalizing on an offer, one should be aware of others waiting in line. If you're on a long drive, pulling in at 10 percent, and waiting for an ID.4 to reach 100%, you may not be very pleased.
Norm #4: Etiquette for Supercharger Parking
While Tesla opening up the Supercharging network to other makes and models is noteworthy, there's a major caveat. A large number of EVs in the market have their charge ports in varying locations. All Ford and most GM EVs have charging ports on the driver's side front quarter panel. Simultaneously, BMW's electric vehicles place their ports on the passenger side rear.
On the contrary, Tesla's lineup positions the charging port on the driver's side rear. Since Tesla engineered the charger and vehicle simultaneously, the designers made the cable just long enough to reach the port location. Shorter cables signify lesser requirement of coolant, reduced electrical resistance, and a lesser bill of materials (especially less copper).
Depending on the station design, shorter cables might struggle to reach all cars. Pull-through Superchargers should not cause serious issues, although the typical parking-space style ones might. To charge a Chevrolet Equinox EV on a Supercharger, occupying more than one spot may be necessary.
In simpler words, if you're in a busy region, occupying multiple supercharging spots might hinder another operator's access to a stall. Tesla suggests not parking perpendicular to the spot lines, as that would block three stalls. Instead, operators must straddle the dividing lines for the front charge port to come in proximity to the cable. End spots are clearly the most desirable, although occupying two spots is the temporary solution for now.
Tesla's 4th generation Superchargers will have longer cables, so this problem is restricted to previous-generation stations.
Norm #5: Understanding the Queuing Process
Regrettably, queuing at charging stations is somewhat problematic. If you arrive at a full charging station in a busy area, the best strategy is to park in a spot facing the stalls. Hence, you can view the vehicles entering and exiting. If there's not much parking lot traffic and it's safe, then it's usually alright to park in the lot facing the chargers. This way, other arriving drivers know that you were there first.
Lastly, once you've been queuing and get on a charger, it's recommended not to stay at the station unnecessarily long. If there's a long line, and the next charger on your trip is less crowded, you should charge only as much as you need to reach there with a safety margin. This will help get people in and out of the station and on their way.
Concluding Note: Avoid Landing Up In EV Purgatory
The electric vehicle community is rapidly growing, with more participants than ever before. However, acceptable conduct is necessary to ascertain everyone can reach their destinations quickly and effortlessly. This implies that operators must be aware of their time at stations.
But the most effective way is education. If you encounter a new operator at a station, inform him or her about how charging operates. Enlighten that person about the different kinds of charging stations or what charging curves are. Driving electric requires a learning curve, so keeping other drivers updated is beneficial for all.