The proliferation of electric cars on our roads is gradually transforming the mobility landscape. This revolution comes with new challenges, particularly around public charging stations. Between waiting times, cables that are too short and inappropriate behavior, tensions sometimes rise at charging stations. Before risking coming to blows, here are the essential rules for harmonious cohabitation.
Take a special EV parking space only if you need to recharge
The first fundamental rule concerns the occupancy of charging places. A simple but crucial principle is essential: systematically plug in your vehicle when parking in a space equipped with a terminal. This rule may seem obvious, yet many drivers use these spaces as ordinary parking lots.
This behavior, comparable to the occupation of spaces by thermal vehicles, penalizes motorists with a real need for recharging. The situation becomes particularly problematic in dense urban areas or shopping malls, where every location counts.
Free up the space once charging is complete
The second major point of attention is the parking time after charging. Once the battery is recharged, quickly freeing up space becomes imperative. Fast terminal operators have understood this well by introducing excessive occupancy fees.
Tesla, for example, charges up to 1 euro per minute of unnecessary parking on its Superchargers. This pricing policy aims to streamline the rotation at the terminals by dissuading squatters.
Optimize your charging time
Optimal charging management represents the third pillar of this label. Electric vehicles have specific charging curves: they generally accept higher power when their battery is low. The time to charge an electric vehicle from 80 to 100% and often almost as long as charging from 20 to 80.
An informed driver will therefore favor recharges between 20% and 80% during long distance journeys. This practice optimizes your travel time, but also allows other users to access the terminals more quickly. Do not hesitate to use the route planners which will tell you the most efficient route to follow.
Position your electric car correctly
Positioning at charging stations constitutes the fourth crucial aspect, particularly since the opening of the Tesla network to other brands. The diversity of charging socket locations depending on the manufacturer sometimes poses technical challenges.
Some vehicles must occupy two spaces to reach the terminal, particularly on older generations of Superchargers with short cables. This situation, although temporary, requires special attention in busy stations. Future installations, equipped with longer cables, will gradually resolve this constraint.
Respect the order of arrival at the terminals
Queue management forms the fifth part of these best practices. Facing a full station, organized parking opposite the terminals allows you to establish a clear order of passage.
This simple method avoids tensions and guarantees equitable access to infrastructure. Experienced drivers also adapt their charge level to busy conditions. In the presence of a queue, it is better to be satisfied with a partial charge allowing you to reach the next less busy station.
Infrastructure will continue to expand, but compliance with these fundamental rules will remain essential to guarantee a peaceful charging experience for all users. Given that the democratization of electric vehicles is only just beginning, we might as well learn good practices for everyone right away.
