Sorry to unplug your car

[milepost1]

Now with so many EVs, so many leave car plugged in at free sites for extended periods. Even worse, is those in an EV who park in a FREE spot and don't bother to plug in. And why would I think that someone would sit at gas station 30 min after full keep sitting there. Also why is it poor planning? Is there another fast charger anywhere close? Been places it is the ONLY fast charger around. So how do I plan better? Go 100's of miles out of way? Go sit 8 hours at level 2? Is to plan when several level 3 located a few miles apart. But many place only 1 charger for 200 miles.

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[Rpellicciotti]

This sort of happened to me on my first ever public charging event. Plugged the EA charger in, verified it was charging (the battery was at about 20%). My wife and I walked to the Culver's to get a burger figuring it would take about 30 minutes to do the charge. After 18 minutes, I noticed the car was no longer charging. We hurriedly finished eating and headed back to the car. When we got there, a Bolt was parked next to us. The owner and his friend were trying to figure out the charger. In the process of pushing buttons and tapping on the screen, they had stopped my charging session. I just quietly unplugged and we got in the car and left. They may still be there for all I know.

 

[ChehRob]

There should be a sign above free chargers saying that after any car quits charging, or on crowded days, gets to 80% it is OK to unplug the charger.

 

[djjerv91]

How do you know they golf?

 

[milepost1]

Ah the hypocricy of the human mind. For all of you who are defending the OP's actions please tell us what your reaction would be if you returned to your car and found it unplugged and plugged in to another car. I'm espically interested in hearing Mach-Lee's response.

If I was not fully charged at dcfc, (100% might need it) would be pissed. If unplugged after that I would Apologize to person who unplugged me for being an a$$ hole

 

[Mirak]

But if your car was done charging would you be OK with someone unplugging it and plugging in their car?

Yes. Because obviously.

This issue is only “controversial” because some people - I’ll call them the mattress tag crowd - enjoy signaling their virtues by feigning indignation over an action that is both harmless and justified.

If your dumb ass leaves your car fully charged and hogging a charger, you deserve to be unplugged. “Chipped paint” OMG.

Some of us need to get on with our lives. We are not required to adapt our schedules to the inconsiderate actions of others.

The only thing that annoys me about OP is that he even thought to leave a note and a gift. Good lord.

 

[milepost1]

I would normally agree, but I would submit there are RARE circumstances where that might be necessary. In any event, if you do unplug someone, STAY WITH THE VEHICLE and “borrow” the plug for the absolute minimum necessary to get you to another charger. No more than 5-10 minutes. After that, just hang out in your car until someone returns and a charger frees up.
As a general rule, don’t do it. If you’re in a real emergency, remain with your car and only “borrow” for 5-10 mins.

And only if other car is 100%

 

[milepost1]

Indeed I'd be very pissed./ MFers better keep their gdammed hands off my car.

Would you be ok waiting for a 30 min or longer, needing a charge but car just sitting there? If you don't want someone to unplug your car, YOU unplug it when full.

 

[bbulkow]

It was a desperate situation needed 14% to get home, I waited 30 mins for you to come back to your car. Left a note and gift for you

this was at 62kw level 3 charger at a dealership that offers free charging.

I agree we have to change the etiquette around "don't ever unplug someone else's car". Unless we also agree "don't ever leave your car unattended", which I think is overly strict. Lunch! Shopping!

In order of least controversial to most controversial ---

Obviously, don't steal people's adapters.

For a car that's not charging though... Isn't unplugging the right thing, 100%? I mean, the owner is probably paying fees? Be kind, unplug

At a fast charger, don't interrupt a charging session < 80% or 90%?

Or, most controversial, I would might put forward -

if all chargers are taken, and you wait 15 minutes, unplugging *and staying there*, is probably OK. At a free charger, where you can plug them back in (you don't know if the owner has plug and charge, or if you plug them back in *on your dime*)....

In a case where you cant plug them back in on a fast charger, it's a lot more marginal. I'd probably wait until they're at the 80% / 90% knee before unplugging. I don't know if you can tell on every car where that knee is, though, if there's no indication on the charger. For MachE, that generally means the last flashing light on the ring but who knows for all the other cars?

 

[sparkout]

It was a desperate situation needed 14% to get home, I waited 30 mins for you to come back to your car. Left a note and gift for you

this was at 62kw level 3 charger at a dealership that offers free charging.

Edit: I did plug them back in.

You were more than patient and kind about this and that owner is a narcissist, anyone who thinks different is also one of those "it's all about me cause the world revolves around my wants" jerk. No golf balls for them. Not cool. That's why you get a grace time and then charged per minute overtime. That little bit of common courtesy applies no matter if it is free charging or paid. Not cool

 

[Phil-Springs]

If the provider publishes some rules, follow them, otherwise:
1.) Charging is first come first serve
2.) Charge as much as you need, but leave immediately as soon as you are done
3.) Don't touch other people's stuff

If someone violates 2 by sitting there at 100%, up to you to assess the risks of violating #3.

 

[Chrisbriding]

Nice - The TaylorMade TP5X is an excellent golf ball. To me - its well worth the unplug.

If you golf ...

 

[DYohn]

Would you be ok waiting for a 30 min or longer, needing a charge but car just sitting there? If you don't want someone to unplug your car, YOU unplug it when full.

I'd wait or go find another charger. Keep your mitts off other people's cars. Period.

 

[DYohn]

This is the highly individualist reaction. When it comes to shared (and highly limited) resources, a collectivist perspective might be the better way to go. Assume good intent on the part of the other person, be flexible, giving, pay it forward, however you might want to characterize it.

Maybe today your charging gets delayed by an extra 10-15 mins when you're not in the biggest hurry, another day you delay someone else by 10-15 mins when you're in a big hurry. Give-and-take. In the words of Maroon 5, "it's compromise that moves us along."



No one needs to touch your car to unplug it. But again, if you're in a big rush (and not babysitting the charge) then sure, I get being annoyed. But I submit that very pissed is an overreaction, for all the reasons I mention above.

I disagree. Simple.

 

[L0WBATT3RY]

I'd wait or go find another charger. Keep your mitts off other people's cars. Period.

Nah, everyone here talks big but would probably cower in the Corner, and wait till I left then talk mad smack ??zero ducks given

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