Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common sight on UK roads, and it is imperative that behaviour and etiquette are modified to accommodate this new phenomenon. Drivers are uncertain about how to behave, so it is useful to provide clear guidance on charging protocols, as well as some recommendations about good etiquette that will contribute to a civilised and agreeable charging experience.

Queuing Quandaries

When looking for a place to charge your electric car, you will often find that there are plenty of vacant bays available to use. However, at busier times and charging stations, forming an orderly queue will be a fundamental requirement when charging your electric vehicle. That means being observant about the layout of the charging station and remembering that each facility is different and will have its own rules. If in doubt about queuing protocol, politely ask a fellow motorist “excuse me, is this the end of the queue?”. Make sure that you park neatly in the designated bays and that your vehicle fits snugly into the marker lines.

When you must wait to charge your vehicle, pass the time of day with some friendly small talk. Exchange greetings and politely ask fellow motorists how long they think they’ll be. EV queue small talk (eg chatting about the weather, exchanging notes on your vehicles, availability of charging points etc.) might make the whole experience more pleasant. If you establish a relationship with fellow motorists, they’re much more likely to be accommodating when it comes to negotiating charging time.

EV Diplomacy

At the charge point, try and wait patiently and don’t pace around looking at your watch and transmitting waves of passive aggression towards the motorist who is charging their vehicle. Under no circumstances should you jump the queue; however, you can discreetly check the charging point to see how long a car still has left to fully charge and you may be able to politely negotiate with another driver using the bay.

If you notice that a motorist is occupying a charger and their vehicle is almost fully charged, you could politely open negotiations by asking if they’d be willing to make way for other motorists. Say something like “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I notice you’re nearly fully charged. Would it be okay if I started to plug-in soon?” If they agree to move on, heartfelt thanks are in order – no muttering “about time too!”.

If you arrive at a charge point and you need a full charge, check out the other motorists. Ask them how much time they need, and if you can accommodate them let people who only need a short charge go ahead of you. It’s the same principle as supermarket shopping: if you arrive in the queue with an overladen trolley, and someone is behind you carrying a basket with a handful of items, it is considerate to let them go first if possible.

If you’re a Plug-in Hybrid driver, it is only polite to be aware that fully electric vehicle drivers are more dependent on charging stations than you are. You are, of course, fully entitled to use the charging station, but try to do so with extra attentiveness and, if you possibly can, let EV-drivers use the charger first.

Remember, EV cars will charge much faster up to 80% and you will be able to clear the charging point for other motorists and complete your journey without hitting full charge. Public rapid chargers will allow you to achieve 80% capacity very quickly, in as little as 30 minutes for some vehicles.

Watch the Clock

It is very important to note how long it will take you to reach your desired charge level and ensure that you are back at your vehicle as, or shortly after, charging is complete, so you are not inconveniencing fellow motorists when using public charge points. This might mean returning to your car to move it away from the charging bay earlier than planned. Considerate EV motorists will do their utmost to ensure that they are not monopolising public charging points with fully charged vehicles.

It is helpful to keep other motorists informed by putting a timing card, or handwritten note, in your windshield when you are away from your charging vehicle. That way, you will be able to notify other drivers how long you will be occupying the timing bay; ensure that you return to the vehicle at the time you specified.

Charging Conundrums

Approximately one-third of UK homes do not have access to adjacent off-street parking, and this means that EV owners will need to be considerate and strategic about on-street charging.

The best option is to find an alternative method of charging the vehicle which does not pose a risk to the public. Some local areas have public charging facilities more readily available than others, and you might find charging ports built into streetlamps or bollards near you.

Alternatively, you might be more reliant on finding your own means of charging, such as running a cable from your house to your car over the pavement. It is important to check your local council rules and regulations if you are following this method; whilst it is not illegal, the rules vary depending on where you live. Ensuring cables aren’t a trip hazard is essential, so only do this when you are able to cover or hide the cable so it is less of a risk to pedestrians, such as encasing it in raised plastic or running cables through in-ground channels, which some streets may have available. If required, you can get a channel installed specifically outside your home, so it is a good idea to explore your options.

If you’re visiting a friend or relative, or maybe staying overnight at their house, and desperate to charge your EV, don’t assume that you can just march in brandishing your cable and demanding to know the whereabouts of the nearest power socket. Ask your host politely if they would mind you using their socket to charge your vehicle and meticulously follow their requests and instructions about where to park (you wouldn’t want to antagonise their neighbours). You will need to find an arrangement that works for your host, and if you sense any reluctance, don’t push your demands, simply seek an alternative method.

Remember, charging tariffs change depending on the time of day; electricity is often cheapest at night, when demand is lowest, so if you’re an overnight guest defer charging your car until the evening. Alternatively, your host might also be more familiar with local charging facilities, such as streetlamp charge ports nearby. Explore these options before your visit so that you always have alternatives.