As the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise, it’s important for EV owners to follow certain unwritten rules of EV charging etiquette to ensure a smooth and pleasant charging experience for everyone. While slow (up to 22 kW AC) and super-slow (from a household socket) charging may simply require parking properly, fast (50+ kW DC) and especially super-fast (150+ kW) charging often come with some rules that if used ensures that everyone can use the infrastructure as much as possible. In this article, the CEO of Eleport Latvia, Kārlis Mendziņš, will provide some helpful tips for every EV owner to follow, to make the most of the charging infrastructure, and to be respectful of other EV owners.
Here are some tips to ensure a pleasant charging experience:
1. Use the Most Suitable Charging Station
Here is the first unwritten rule of EV charging etiquette. If your EV can only handle 50kW, and you have a choice between chargers, consider using a 50kW charging station instead of a high-power charger. This will be both respectful of those who can use higher power chargers and also friendlier to your wallet, as lower power chargers are typically more affordable than higher wattage chargers. You can still use high-power chargers but don’t expect to charge faster because of it.
2. Park the Car Correctly
When charging, park your car correctly next to the charging station you want to use. Pay attention to the expected traffic flow. Also, note the location of your EV’s charging socket to properly position the EV at the charging station.
3. The Right Moment to Charge
It should be noted that fuller batteries charge more slowly and generally a 10%-80% charge will take less time than an 80%-100% charge. It is preferable to start the charging process with a state of charge (also known as SoC) below 20%, as the best charging performance is achieved between 20 and 80%. Some EVs can be pre-set to charge. In this way, the EV prepares the batteries for the optimal temperature to charge as quickly as possible.
4. Charge as Needed
Charge only as much as you need to safely reach your next destination. Charging typically is significantly slower beyond 80% SoC. For some EVs, the charging rate drops even at a lower SoC. This is done to protect the battery from overheating. Charging more often, but for a shorter period, using the fastest charging speed possible saves both your time and the time of those in line after you.
5. Move After Charging – EV Charging Etiquette
When you have finished charging, please park elsewhere. There is nothing more annoying than waiting for someone else to return to their fully charged EV.
Following these simple guidelines will not only make charging more efficient and less stressful for EV owners, but it will also contribute to a more seamless transition to electric vehicles for everyone. By being considerate of others, we can create a positive charging experience for all. So, keep this EV charging etiquette in mind and enjoy your next charging session!
