Top five tips for EV charging etiquette
Whether you’re wanting to explore the Gold Coast’s coastal charm, Far North Queensland’s lush rainforest or the scenery on offer at the Great Dividing Range, there’s plenty of noteworthy road trips in our own backyard.
As electric vehicle sales continue to surge in Australia, and improved charging infrastructure rolls out across the state, it’s the perfect time to complete these iconic journeys in an EV.
So, plan your route, pack the car and brush up on RACQ’s top 5 tips for EV charging etiquette.
1. Don’t overstay your welcome
EV charging takes time, which means the days of ‘popping down to the servo’ and filling up in a few minutes may be behind us – for now anyway. However, with this comes the opportunity to explore new places while your electric vehicle is on charge. But make sure you don’t overstay your welcome and move your car as soon as it’s finished charging. If you are venturing away from the charger, a simple trick is to download the NeedToCharge app which allows other drivers to send you a message when your car is finished using only your number plate and no other personal details.
2. Know your EVs capacity
Similar to a phone charger, where each brand has different charging cables, EVs also have unique charging capabilities. At stations with multiple DC chargers, ensuring you use the DC charger that best suits your car’s needs is not only important but also respectful to other motorists. It is important you don’t use the fastest charger if your vehicle uses slower DC charging and there is a slower charger available. There’s no point connecting to the 350Kw fast charger if your vehicle can only accept 80Kw.
Bonus tip: if a charger is occupied but has more than one outlet and there is another charger available not being used, use the one that is free to avoid creating slower charging speed by having two vehicles on the one charger.
3. Make sure your charger doesn’t ‘false start’
While it may sound silly, you need to make sure your vehicle has started charging before you walk away. These chargers can sometimes stop due to software glitches, and you don’t want to return to your vehicle only to discover the charging never actually began. Monitoring or setting alerts during charging via your vehicle’s app or the app associated with the specific charger operator will also notify you of any issues.
4. Follow the 80% rule
The rule of thumb for any EV owner using a public charger is never to charge your vehicle to 100% capacity, unless you’re travelling outside peak times or it is necessary for your battery to be fully-charged to reach your next destination. The charging speed once an EV battery goes past 80% drastically slows, meaning you could see a queue of other motorists building behind you waiting to use the charger. It will often be quicker to top up your battery’s power to 80% at each stop rather than waiting for the battery to reach full charge.
5. Leave a note
Whether it is virtually through an app or physically leaving one on your vehicle, it’s always polite to write a note and let other motorists know how long you plan to be charging your vehicle. Apps like PlugShare or NeedToCharge, where you can check in and state how long you intend to stay are particularly important at a regional single DC charging station.
For more information on the State’s network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, Queensland’s Electric Super Highway or for directions to your nearest charging station, click here.
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