Charging Etiquette - WWYD

[AskGoogleCallMike]

Just wanted to get some thoughts on how you all would handle this charging situation on Christmas Eve........

Was down to 10% battery after driving all day so went to my normal 350kW charger nearby with 4 stations. All were in use and I was then #1 waiting but soon after three more were waiting. A spot opened up and before I could get in #4 waiter in line took it (Of course it was a BMW). I got out and said there were multiple cars waiting but she disagreed. In the spirit of Christmas I said fine. A little bit later two more spots opened up I got one. So while charging there were four more cars were waiting now. So I checked on progress of all the stations.

One was being used by a Chevy Bolt that had been charging for a hour and was still only at 50%. Saw the charge rate 20kW! Told him about a station just down the road that has 8 150kW stations that are never full......he did not move.

There was a Porsche at 90% but driver was not around. He did come about 10mins later after grocery shopping left.

The aforementioned BMW was now at 90% so I said something again that people were waiting and it would be polite to let someone go. She wanted to charge to 100% and would leave then.

So by the time I charged from 10 to 80% and left all the other cars were still at the station!

My thoughts:
1. Use a charge that closely aligns with your charge capability - I was the only one charging above a 100kW rate everyone else was below for the eight different cars charging and was surprised one was a Kia
2. Charge to 80% if people are waiting
3. Take note at busy chargers who is in front of you
4. Precondition if you can to take full charge capability (It's cold in the DC area right now)
5. Be nice!

Would you have done anything differently?

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[bburk00]

I think all charge stations should exponentially increase in price as you go over 80% if over 60% are in use. I believe Tesla does this in some places. But it would stop people from being so inconsiderate if it cost them $10 to go 10-80 then another $100 to go 80-100.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Other’s peoples lack of consideration is not your concern beyond the annoyance and bump in blood pressure. Let it go.

The other argument that can be made is that you can take your own advice and move to the unused 150 station as that’s roughly the max the mme can take anyway. But I’d just let it go.

 

[Sikkun]

I don’t disagree with etiquette logic, but then I’d have to ask.

my normal 350kW charger nearby

Told him about a station just down the road that has 8 150kW stations that are never full

Assuming you are talking about a Mach E, shouldn’t you also be at the 150kw down the road that is never full?

 

[Pioneer74]

Would you have done anything differently?

I might have said something to the BMW driver, but the rest isn't anybodies business. You may not agree with what they are doing, but they aren't doing anything wrong to the point you should risk putting yourself in danger.

 

[AskGoogleCallMike]

I don’t disagree with etiquette logic, but then I’d have to ask.





Assuming you are talking about a Mach E, shouldn’t you also be at the 150kw down the road that is never full?

I normally would but at the 150kW chargers I top out usually at 115kW and steady at 100kW rarely ever get the max speed. Point taken though.

 

[kltye]

I think some assholes have never been told "no" before in their lives, and by not saying anything, we're letting terrible behaviour continue (and maybe even encouraging and emboldening people). Some may say that it's none of our business - and I certainly don't disagree with anyone having that opinion - but I thank OP for having the nuts to say something.

We live in a society. I know it's easy to lose track of that with eleventy billion people in the world since all of which are apparently out to kill us, but we should not let shitty behaviour continue.

Also, while I 100% agree with having different rates if charging past 80%, but lots of people don't really care about money. Convenience trumps money, and for lots of people, money solves everything. Same thing with idle fees, though I think charging an outrageous rate like $50/second after 3 grace minutes might change some people's behaviour.

(I'm mostly talking about the BMW driver here, though the Bolt and Porsche drivers are annoying as well)

 

[bburk00]

I normally would but at the 150kW chargers I top out usually at 115kW and steady at 100kW rarely ever get the max speed.

That’s how most are. I see nothing wrong with you going to the 350kw to get closer to the 150kw max the car can do. At 150kw chargers my car normally only gets ~80kw. Some of the other cars you mentioned though max out at 80kw like the Kia and depending on which BMW maxes out at 50kw.

 

[RoyHobbs]

Are you just wandering around getting into everyone business? Christmas Eve or not, stay in your car and stay out of other peoples business.

 

[Mach1E]

Only thing I would do different is drive a gas powered car for long distances. Especially on the holidays.

Unfortunately your experience is EXACTLY what I would expect and want to avoid.

Crowded chargers, everyone in a hurry, everyone stressed out. Hard pass.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Phil-Springs]

The BMW driver cutting in line is the only real issue. Probably not worth it unless you can come up with some clever way to shame them in real time.

 

[Tampamike]

That’s how most are. I see nothing wrong with you going to the 350kw to get closer to the 150kw max the car can do. At 150kw chargers my car normally only gets ~80kw. Some of the other cars you mentioned though max out at 80kw like the Kia and depending on which BMW maxes out at 50kw.

If we’re talking about EA units, there’s very little difference in the charge time from 20-80% between the 150 and the 350 - like 2 minutes. Try timing it and compare if you get a chance. That initial high charge rate on the 350’s drops fairly quickly.

 

[redgrandam]

To me, it’s not worth waiting at the faster units when there are open and only slightly slower chargers down the street. Go to the empty ones and you’ll be out of there in overall less time.
The overall charge time difference in a Mach e using a 350 vs 150kw charger is not all that much (a few minutes overall). This is the case for most cars actually.

 

[Sikkun]

I normally would but at the 150kW chargers I top out usually at 115kW and steady at 100kW rarely ever get the max speed. Point taken though.

That’s how charge curve works.

 

[CameraCarl]

Even at Christmastime, people only care about themselves. Chiding them does nothing to change their behavior. I have found that some people who can afford an EV have an elevated perspective of their place in the pecking order. I work very hard these days to avoid any kind of a confrontation. It may save me a trip to the emergency room. Having said this, it is too bad that the owners of the chargers can't implement idle time and Mostly-charged fees that are so high that even BMW drivers will wince.

(And don't get me started about plug-in hybrid drivers who monopolized limited chargers for extended amounts of time. I've seen them parked at chargers at state parks while they went hiking for the day.)

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