From the April 2023 difficulty of Automobile and Driver.
Our latest experiences at public chargers have us involved that the EV-charging expertise may quickly devolve into violence and mayhem. Too many people try to make use of too few stations, a state of affairs exacerbated by out-of-order plugs. Earlier than folks get disinvited from weddings or reduce out of the need, let’s have a look at if we will tackle a few of your messiest deportment dilemmas.
Some fundamentals: All the time place the fork to the left of the plate once you eat lunch on the decklid, and by no means park a combustion-engine car in an EV-charging spot. Now on to the exhausting ones.
IS IT SO RUDE TO STAY PLUGGED IN FOR A 100 PERCENT CHARGE? I MEAN, I WAS THERE FIRST.
Aw, sweetie. It may possibly really feel incomplete to unplug at 82 %, but when somebody is ready, do not get grasping and go for a full cost. It is rude, as a result of on a DC charger, odds are the final 20 % will take as a lot time because the earlier 80 %. Plus, charging to full accelerates long-term battery degradation, so it is impolite to your automobile too. This rule goes triple for Lucid drivers. Even at 80 %, a Lucid has 300-plus miles of freeway vary, far more than most EVs.
I LIKE TO USE THE FASTEST CHARGER. IS THAT WRONG?
When you drive a Mini Cooper SE that may settle for a mere 50-kW cost and are hooked to a 350-kW charger when slower ones can be found, you are making the angels cry. It is like taking each armrests when seated on the aisle in an airplane. You is likely to be extra comfy, however you are taking house from the one who can actually use it. Whereas some new EVs can settle for over 200 kilowatts, most older fashions cannot. Know your limits.
MY TESLA CAN CHARGE ANYWHERE, SO I PLUG IN WHEREVER I SEE AN OPEN SPOT, EVEN IF IT ISN’T A TESLA STATION.
That is not a query, but additionally, except you are determined, please do not try this. Somebody goes to determine tips on how to yank that plug and launch it into low Earth orbit. Tesla affords an incredible and unique charging infrastructure that works, like, on a regular basis! We will not say the identical for non-Tesla stations, so seeing Teslas at these stalls in situations when their very own community is out there close by might be irritating. Consider the neighborhood.
DO I REALLY HAVE TO LOG IN TO PLUGSHARE OR OTHER REPORTING APPS?
In fact not. You do not have to assist the aged carry groceries both, however it’s good for those who do. Reporting inoperative or broken stations on apps equivalent to PlugShare might help different vacationers keep away from frustration. If everybody did it, it may prevent frustration too. Crowdsourced information additionally helps stations manage repairs. Good car-ma for all.
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO SUCK AT THIS. CAN I MOCK THEM?
Certain, however that is imply. When you’re used to public charging, it is easy to overlook how irritating and complicated stations might be. Some have a touchscreen, and a few have what seems like a touchscreen however requires urgent a button. Some take a swipe, and a few appear to want a lunar alignment earlier than accepting a bank card. When you see somebody struggling, assist them out. You are not going anyplace for some time anyway. Possibly rip out this web page and provides it to them.