this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2023
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Public level 2 charging etiquette question (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Hey Everyone, I'm about to buy my first EV (2020 chevy bolt) and there is a hotel next to my apartment with a lvl 2 charger. I called and asked if Its open for the public and their response was "Technically its only for guests but as long as you don't hog the charger I don't see any problem with using it". They seemed busy so I didn't ask anything else, but for a slow charger like this, what is considered too long to charge? My plan was to just leave it there for like 4 hours once a week, but would you count that as "hogging" it? If it matters, they do have 2 charging slots, but only one is functional and they don't know if/when the other will be fixed

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

So I’m going against the grain here but I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to charge at the hotel on a regular basis, even if it is only once a week. Before you buy an EV, your job as a responsible owner is to figure out a proper charging situation. What if a guest at the hotel needs it while you’re there? They likely picked the hotel because there is a charger but didn’t know that a local resident would be using it that day.

If you don’t have a reliable charging plan then I would highly advise that you reconsider buying an EV. Or plan to use actual public chargers until you have a more permanent solution figured out.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

That's a good point, and that's exactly why I'm asking. My original plan was to get an ev after purchasing a house in roughly a year, but my current car has kicked the bucket. There's plenty of fast chargers nearby that would work for me, especially since I drive so little (less than 300 miles a month). I realized that this hotel has a charger after I already made the ev decision, and thought it would be convenient since I won't be charging too often. Plus, after living next door to the hotel for years, I've never seen it used(which is why I didn't know it existed) , with charge point showing it's only used like once or twice a week. I'll probably just end up using this as a supplemental charger, and mostly charge at the fast stations a bit farther away.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

On this point, does the charge point app only show public chargers? Id imagine a hotel or any establishment would be able to make a note if the charger is available to anyone or just their customers

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

The hotel would probably tell op if a guest needs to charge and he's in the way.

Op should probably turn his charge unplug alarm off too.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Disclaimer: I've only had my EV for about a month and usually charge at work or home so haven't got that much experience with public charger etiquette.

I wouldn't think 4 hours a week is "hogging it" but I would think the etiquette somewhat depends what 4 hours you are there. If your 4 hours coincidence with the peak usage of the charger (maybe when people are checking in for example) that is different to 4 hours when nobody is there anyway.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I was thinking about that, and it seems this is a very low usage charger. Chargepoint app shows its last use was 5 days ago. As for low volume times, that makes sense.. I'll probably just charge in the morning and have it gone before their check in time. Maybe I could even leave a note on the dash for them to call me if they want me to move it

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Op, if you work something out with the next door hotel then that's totally fine.

Etiquette is to not hog a charger and leave your car plugged in after has finished the charging session. Also note that many EVs will, after completing a charge, spend hours balancing the cells by trickle charging them. You don't need to do this very often, maybe a few times a year at the most.

I would think most of the hotel guests will be plugging in the afternoon and charging overnight.

Also, you could get one of these: https://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/28/take-charge-go-placards-polite-charge-ev/

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I don't have a lot of experience but I've been a passenger in a Tesla and we stopped for charging. Tesla has an app that tells you how long is left to finish charging, at the end there is a five minute grace period and after that you start getting extra charges for occupying the charger spot.

So assuming that's sort of setting the tone, your app should tell you when it should be done, try not to let it sit too long after. How long is too long? Well, if someone is waiting, maybe 5 minutes is, if not... 🤷

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I think thats the protocol for the fast chargers. Stay with/near the car and leave as soon as its done. Thanks for sharing!