The Guide to EV Charger Etiquette

How Long Should You Stay Plugged In?

This is the number one etiquette rule at public chargers. When your car is done charging, move it. A charging stall is not a parking spot. Every minute your fully charged car sits there is a minute someone else cannot charge.

At DC fast chargers, consider stopping at 80% if others are waiting. After 80%, your charging speed drops significantly. You are occupying a high-demand stall for diminishing returns. The last 20% on a fast charger can take as long as the first 60%. If the station is empty and you need the range, charge as high as you like. But if someone is waiting, 80% is the courteous cutoff.

At AC chargers (Level 2), the same principle applies, just on a longer timeline. If you are fully charged and your car has been sitting there for hours, move it when you can. Some workplaces and public lots have time limits posted. Follow them.

Many charging networks now charge idle fees once your session ends but your car stays connected. These fees can be steep, sometimes more per minute than the electricity you just used. Networks like Ionity, Tesla Supercharger, and others have introduced these fees specifically to discourage overstaying. Your wallet will thank you for moving promptly.

Can You Unplug Someone Else's EV?

Never unplug someone else's car. Not even if it looks fully charged. Not even if they have been there for hours. The cable is locked during an active charging session for a reason. You physically cannot remove it without ending their session, and attempting to force it can damage the connector, the car's charge port, or both.

If you arrive at a station and every stall is occupied by cars that appear to be done charging, here is what you can do. Check if the charger's screen or app shows the session status. Some networks display whether a car is actively charging or just parked. If the car is clearly done, you can try to leave a polite note on their windshield. You can also report the situation through the charging network's app so they can send the owner a notification.

It is frustrating. But unplugging someone else's car crosses a line. It interrupts their session, could leave them without enough range to reach their destination, and in some places may even be considered tampering with property.

Should You Put the Cable Back After Charging?

When you are done charging, hang the cable back on its holder. This sounds obvious, but visit any busy charging station and you will see cables dragged across the ground, coiled in puddles, or stretched across parking spaces.

A cable on the ground gets driven over. It sits in rain, mud, and snow. The connector picks up dirt and grit that ends up inside the next person's charge port. In winter, a cable left on the ground can freeze to the pavement. None of this is good for the equipment, and it makes the whole station look neglected.

If you are using your own cable at a destination charger (common in Europe with Type 2 sockets), take it with you when you leave. A cable left dangling from a charger with no car attached confuses the next person and can block the socket.

What Happens When a Non-EV Blocks a Charger?

ICE-ing is the term for when a gas or diesel car parks in a spot reserved for EV charging. It happens more often than you might think, especially at shopping centers, rest stops, and anywhere the EV charging spots happen to be the most convenient ones in the lot.

If you drive a gas car, do not park in EV charging spots. Even if you are "just running in for a minute." An EV driver who needs that charger has no alternative. They cannot charge at a regular parking spot.

If you are an EV driver and find a charger blocked by a non-EV, stay calm. Take a photo if you want to report it to the property owner or local parking enforcement. In several European countries and a growing number of US states, blocking an EV charger can result in a fine. But getting into a confrontation in a parking lot is never worth it. Find another charger and move on.

How Should You Treat New EV Drivers at the Charger?

Everyone was new to EV charging once. If someone is struggling to get the charger started, fumbling with the app, or trying to figure out which plug fits their car, give them a moment. Better yet, offer to help if they look stuck. A simple "need a hand?" goes a long way.

Do not honk. Do not sigh loudly. Do not pull up behind them and idle impatiently. Public charging is already stressful for beginners. The apps can be confusing, the connectors are unfamiliar, and the process is nothing like pumping gas. A little patience makes the entire EV community more welcoming.

If you are the new driver, do not feel embarrassed. Charging apps crash, RFID cards fail, and even experienced EV drivers occasionally encounter chargers that refuse to cooperate. It is the technology, not you.

What Is Power Splitting at Shared Chargers?

Some charging stations split power between two or more stalls. This means if you are the only car charging, you might get the full 150 kW. But when someone plugs in at the stall next to you, your speed could drop to 75 kW because the power is now shared.

This is not the other driver's fault. It is how the infrastructure works. The charger has a fixed amount of power to distribute, and it divides it between active sessions. You will sometimes see this at stations where two connectors share a single power cabinet.

If charging speed matters to you and the station is not busy, you can try to pick a stall that does not share a power cabinet with an occupied stall. The stalls that share power are usually next to each other and sometimes labeled, though not always. Look for paired connectors coming from the same unit.

Either way, do not blame the person who plugged in next to you. They need to charge too, and they probably do not even know the power is shared. This is just how some stations are built.

What Are the Rules for Charging at Work or Home?

Workplace chargers are a shared resource. If your office has two chargers and eight EVs, do not plug in at 90% and sit there all day. Charge what you need, then move your car so a colleague can use the charger. Some workplaces set up rotation schedules, sign-up sheets, or notification systems. If yours does not have one, suggest it.

The same applies to shared parking in apartment buildings or condo complexes. If there is one charger for the building, communicate with your neighbors. A simple shared calendar or group chat can prevent conflicts. Agree on reasonable time windows so everyone gets a turn.

If you charge at home and share a driveway or parking area, be mindful of cable placement. Running a cable across a shared walkway or sidewalk is a tripping hazard, especially at night. Use cable covers or route the cable along walls where possible.

What If the Charger Is Broken?

If you arrive at a charger and it is not working, report it. Use the charging network's app, call the number on the unit, or submit a report online. Do not just shrug and drive to the next one. The next person will make the same wasted trip, and the one after that, until someone finally reports it.

Broken chargers are one of the most common frustrations in public charging. A single report can trigger a maintenance visit. Some networks even offer credits or free charging sessions as a thank-you for reporting faults. Your two-minute report saves dozens of people from the same dead-end visit.

For a step-by-step guide on what to do when you find a charger that is broken or blocked, see our charger blocked or broken guide.

What Is the Golden Rule of EV Charging Etiquette?

Treat the charging station like you would want to find it. Cable hung up neatly. Stall clear for the next person. Charger reported if something is wrong. It takes 30 seconds of effort and it makes the difference between a charging network that works and one that feels like a free-for-all.

Public EV charging infrastructure is still growing. Every positive interaction, every tidy cable, every prompt move after charging, builds a culture that makes it better for everyone. We are all building the norms right now. Make them good ones.

Frequently Asked Questions