Charging an electric car away from home takes longer and frequently requires more forward-planning than filling up a conventional car with an internal combustion engine (ICE) with petrol or diesel.

As a result, there are a few written – and unwritten – rules around this process.

This guide will help you to charge your electric vehicle (EV) quickly and efficiently, with maximum consideration for other drivers and minimum stress.  It will stand you in good stead for our increasingly electric future. 

Non-EVs Parking in a Charging Bay (ICEing)

When an ICE vehicle parks in a bay specifically reserved for EV charging, blocking access to the charge point, it is one of the most frustrating scenarios an EV driver can experience.  The blocked charger is no longer useable by EV drivers to charge their vehicle and they may have specifically diverted to this location in order to get a much needed charge. Whilst many smartphone charging Apps will show whether a charger is being used to charge, they are unlikely to show if there is a non-charging vehicle blocking access.

EV charging bays are only for plug-in vehicles, so mild hybrids (MHEVs) and 'self-charging' hybrids (HEVs) should not pa in such bays.  Some EV drivers get annoyed about PHEVs using charge points, arguing that these cars can also fall back on a petrol or diesel engine.  This may be true, but PHEV drivers have a right to recharge as well and doing so will reduce the emissions of their vehicle.

Any driver can be guilty of blocking an EV charging bay if their vehicle is fully charged.  The main point is that vehicles should only use these facilities when plugged in and recharging.  Ideally, you should vacate the bay as soon as charging is complete.  Some bays even have a specified time limit, with a penalty if drivers exceed the permitted duration.

Plan Ahead 

Try to plan ahead using an app such as Zap-Map or PlugShare. This allows you to see which chargers are occupied in real-time, reducing the risk of a frustrating and timely wait. Aiming for a large charge hub (such as those operated by Gridserve), also means a greater likelihood of being able to charge straight away. 

Motorway service areas are great because they usually have plenty of charge points. However, there can be a queue of drivers waiting to use them, so it’s always best to check a location’s operational status and how busy it is before you park up.

EV Charge Point Queuing

If there are several drivers waiting to charge, it can be chaotic.  Unlike a fuel filling station, there is no real queuing system.  Drivers need to be considerate and respectful, trying to be aware of who was there first.  Hopefully, as the number of EVs continues to grow and the charging infrastructure with it, some form of queueing system will be introduced.  On known busy periods, some charging providers have provided staff at larger hubs to try and help with any issues.  But this doesn;t appear to be the norm.

Allow extra time for charging, just in case that in spite of your best efforts to plan ahead there is a queue.  Try to be patient and polite.  Even with the increasing popularity of EVs, there remains a community feel among many EV drivers, but there have been reports of occasional unpleasant behaviour.

Don’t Hog Bays

You should aim to unplug and move your EV as soon as it has finished charging, where possible.  If you leave the car on charge while shopping, or dining, or whilst in a cinema or theatre, and you're using a destination charger, you should be okay leaving it until you are ready to depart.  However, you could register your car using the App Need to Charge, so that others could contact you safely and securely to advise you of their need to get a charge.

If you're using a rapid DC charger, you really shouldn't go too far from the vehicle.  If you are using the facilities nearby, such as the toilets or fast food restaurant / coffee shop at a service station, that is obviously okay.  However, you should really aim to be back at your car before your charge has completed.

Many rapid charge points will only allow a fixed period of charging, which can be as short as 30 to 45 minutes, to discourage people from hogging chargers.  Tesla Supechargers, as an example, will 'fine' any user that stays longer than it takes to charge their vehicle.  Some destination charge points, especially those in supermarket car parks, also have time limits.

It is also worth noting that, with some locations, the time limits are for your visit to the site (such as a supermarket or motorway service area).  In such cases, the time you spend waiting will be counted as part of the limit.  In such cases, it may be worth speaking with the site management.  Whilst they rarely issue the fixed penalty notices themselves, they may be able to add your registration to a log of those vehicles that should not, on that occasion, be issued with any penalty charge.

If there is someone waiting to charge after you, you might consider letting them that how long you're likely to be.  If you’re only going to be a few more minutes, you can let them know they won’t have long to wait.

Charge at the Right Speed with the Right System

EVs have either a Type 1 or Type 2 socket for AC charging, and either a CCS or CHAdeMO socket for rapid charging.  Type 1 and CHAdeMO sockets are usually found on cars such as the Nissan Leaf, Mk1 Kia Soul EV and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.  Type 2 and CCS sockets are used on almost all other EVs and plug-in hybrids sold in European countries.

Type 1 and Type 2 chargers are, mostly, rated for charging at between 3.7kW and 7kW, although some can charge as quick as 11kW or even 22kW if there is a three phase supply.  Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are rated from 50-350kW, but your EV will have its own onboard systems that will limit the power and speed it can receive.  CHAdeMO connectors tend to have a slower rate of charge than CCS.

Most EVs can accept a DC rapid charge of between 50 and 150 kW.  Some higher-end EVs, such as the Porsche Taycan, and some Korean cars, such as the recent Kias and Hyundais, can use the fastest and most powerful 350kW chargers.  You can find out more detail about the individual charging speeds of almost all EV models on the EV Database website which can be found at ev-database.org/uk.

You should avoid the use rapid or ultra-rapid chargers unless you have a suitable electric car.  Plugging in a PHEV that charges at 7.2kW to a 50kW fast charger makes limited use of that device’s capacity and could prevent somebody else from charging far more quickly.  Similarly, I have found people hunting out the faster 22kW AC destination chargers at some supermarkets, seemingly unaware that their vehicle had a maximum AC charge rate of 3.7kW.

Don’t Unplug other People's Vehicles (without their permission)

In most cases, it would not be possible to unplug someone else's car from a charger.  Most EVs lock the charger cable into the vehicle whilst charging and the car will need to be unlocked to stop a charge.  On rapid chargers, unlocking the car will usually not be enough to stop the charge and unlock the cable, as you would first need to stop the charge on the actual charging unit.

It may be, if you are in contact with the other vehicle's owner, that they could stop the charge via the charge provider's App and remotely unblock the charging cable.  However, it is generally the case that you will need to wait for them to return.  In some cases, you may be better of moving onto the next charger location.

When to End Your Charge

It is worth noting that most EVs charge relatively quickly up to around 80 percent capacity, but then the rate slows down to protect the battery.  This is partly why most car manufacturers quote a ‘10-80 percent’ charging time.  If the charging location is busy and there are people waiting, you should think about whether you really need to charge beyond 80%.  In many cases, you would actually save time by charging until the point the charge speed starts to slow, and then stop for a further charge later in your journey (if necessary).  This is because your further charge would again be at the faster speed.  Stopping at 80% could save you time and, if you then have sufficient charge to make it to your destination, money.

Should should avoid blocking in other cars while you wait for a charger to come free.  It is unlikely to make the process any quicker and could cause tempers to flare.

If there is someone waiting for your charger, it is courteous to let them know how long you will be.  This keeps everyone informed and hopefully minimises the risk of arguments.

It is good advice to charge at home, or your workplace if you have charging facilities there, whenever possible.  This is generally more convenient, as it can be charging whilst you're sleeping, eating or working, and is usually cheaper, too.  Many people who can charge their EV overnight rarely need to use public chargers.

If you follow these guidelines you will be helping to make driving an electric car more pleasant for everyone.  Many of us have stories to share about our EV ownership.  If you have tips or guidance that you think could be included here, please get n touch.