Public charging etiquette

[Nicholai]

I'm new to EVs and have been reading about charging etiquette, but one thing confuses me. I'm reading lots of talk about plugging in other cars (either because you took theirs for a bit or because they parked nearby and left their charging door open). From what I understand, essentially all public charging stations require physical interaction from the user in order to start charging (key fob, card, etc.) so that someone can be charged for the electricity. How are you supposed to start charging their car without having to use your fob/card/whatever to start it?

 

[Schnort]

In the garage I park in, there's 'free' chargers that don't require any sort of activation beyond plugging in.

the only etiquette problem I've had so far is people that park in the charging spots with non EVs. Grrr..

 

[CMYK4Life]

I think it is very conditional.

I had a BEV before the i3 and public charging etiquette has always been a gray area for me...

I keep it simple. If someone is using a public charger and does not leave a note saying I can unplug it. I leave it alone.

I also try my best to never depend on a public charger to get me where I need to go.

If I am planing on a long trip and require the use of a public charger to get to my destination... then I make sure I have at least 3 options.

EV's and PHEV's are not widely accepted where I am so there are not many communities that have them. People dont understand how EV's and charging work let alone understand suttle things like etiquette. The biggest etiquette issue for me is the ICE or nonEV/PHEV cars parking in EV charging spots. I cant tell you how many times I got excited because I was going to a place that had a public charger only to arrive and find a mini-van parked there.