Tips to Optimize Your Charging Experience

News Article

Back in 2015, we published a blog on charging etiquette. The landscape of public DC fast charging has changed quite a bit since then, however, so we’ve returned with some updated tips to keep the range of your anxiety to a minimum.

TL;DR: Being a good steward of charging stations is the throughline of this article and the biggest takeaway!

Plan your route in advance

A little prep goes a long way in reducing your stress and your time charging. These days, many electric vehicles (EVs) have route planners built into their navigation systems, making planning as easy as ever. If your EV doesn’t have this feature, be sure to check out PlugShare and A Better Routeplanner.

Try to have mobile apps preloaded

EV drivers might be embarrassed to share how many mobile apps they’ve downloaded to fast charge at different sites, but it’s important to be prepared since there may be poor cell or Wi-Fi service at a station.

The time it takes you to install and set up an app could be all that someone else requires to get the charge they need.

By planning your route, you will likely see the station networks you may need to stop at. Prioritize getting these apps ahead of time. This is helpful for two reasons: First, you may end up in an area with no service, and second, you will avoid the maddening process of resetting passwords, loading payment information and downloading apps. This can easily add unnecessary time for you (and others) during your charging stop.

Choose a power level that aligns with your vehicle

Different stations have different power levels, ranging from 50 kilowatts (kW) to 350 kW for DC fast charging. Sometimes, a single site will have a mix of charger power levels.

Try to make sure that the power of the charger you select isn’t significantly higher than your vehicle’s acceptance rate. Even more so, vehicles can only take their maximum rates for short periods (usually when the battery is less than 50% full).

So, if you don’t need the super-fast station, keep in mind that others may be able to better utilize it, and that’ll help everyone be on their way faster.

Choose a plug type that aligns with your vehicle — try to avoid using a station with a CHAdeMO plug if you’re using a CCS one

Some DC fast charging stations have multiple plugs, and one of those plugs may support a different type of vehicle from your own. Most notably, CHAdeMO plugs — used mostly by Nissan Leafs — are less common, so if your vehicle uses CCS, leave open a station with CHAdeMO if possible.

Be aware of your range needed, especially if drivers are starting to queue

We always want to maximize our range when charging, but if your journey only has 50 miles left and you have enough juice to get there, try to be mindful — especially if a line is starting to form. This will save you money too!

If your state of charge (SOC) is above 80%, it’s best to move along (for you and others)

Not charging to 100% is OK!

DC fast charging isn’t meant to get vehicles to 100%. If you want to get nerdy, we recommend checking out some resources on charging curves.

After you reach approximately 50%, your vehicle will start to charge more slowly; once you reach about 80%, it will slow down even more.

Unless you absolutely need range beyond 80%, it’s wiser to continue on to stations further along your route — this will save you time and allow others to make the most out of their own charging stops. In fact, a new pilot program from Electrify America will limit drivers from charging past 85% SOC.

Don’t stay parked at a station after you’ve charged

EV drivers have long talked about the frustration caused by ICE-ing — when an internal-combustion-engine vehicle blocks a charger by parking in its spot. But keeping an EV at a charger when it’s no longer charging is essentially the same thing, so it’s best to move your vehicle when your session is completed. This will also allow you to avoid idle fees, which can be implemented by charging operators to encourage you to move along.