5 min read

Charging etiquette

by Onto|

Our Onto Tips series is back with another instalment! If you’re not familiar with this, we’ll be sharing our top EV tips to demystify the world of electric cars. Last time, we showed you how to maximise your range, and now we’re offering our best tips for charging etiquette!

With the uptake in people driving electric cars and, subsequently, public charging points, there are still some uncertainties around best practices when charging. As you get access to more than 20,000 chargers with our subscriptions*, we thought it would be helpful to give you the do’s and don'ts when using public chargers. Let’s get started…

*If you select a no-charging subscription, this won’t apply.

1. Respect the queue

This seems quite an obvious one to start with, but it’s one of the most important! Sometimes it can be difficult to know how many cars are ahead of you in the queue for a charging point, but there’s no harm in politely asking those who may already be waiting.

2. It’s a charging point, not a parking space

One of the most frustrating things for EV drivers is seeing a charging point taken by a car that isn’t even charging. Please don’t park your car in a charging space if you don’t need to charge, even if it’s just for a short time while you’re getting a coffee!

3. Help each other out

For those new to the EV world, the first time using a public charger can be quite confusing and a bit daunting but we’re a friendly bunch so don’t be afraid to ask a charging neighbour if you’re unsure of something. Equally, if you see someone struggling, offer a helping hand especially if you’re a veteran charger.

4. Avoid charging above your car’s capacity

If you’re faced with a choice between a 50kW charger and a 150kW charger for example, it’s easy to go straight for the faster option. Remember that if your car only has a 50kW charging capacity, then using the 150kW charger has no additional benefit! You could be stopping someone else from using it who does have the capability to utilise that speed.

5. Never unplug someone else’s car

Unplugging or emergency stopping another car is one of the biggest red flags when using a public charger. Regardless of whether the car has been charging for a long time, it’s not your car. If you desperately need to charge, you can always use Zap Map to find another charging point nearby.

6. Try not to overcharge

You’ve got every right to keep charging for as long as you need, however, it’s always good to be mindful of others waiting. If you’re about to embark on a long journey where you’ll need full charge, that’s totally understandable, but if you aren’t, be aware that charging speeds slow down beyond 80% charge. You may be holding other people up when you don’t need to, plus you can save time yourself!

7. Look after the chargers

When you unplug your car and leave the charging bay, make sure you leave it in good condition for the next user. Things like placing the connector back to its port properly, or getting rid of litter can go a long way.

Using public charging points is not only fast and convenient, it’s also a great way to meet like-minded EV enthusiasts and share your experiences. If you have your own charging etiquette tips:

Watch out for more Onto Tips coming soon!