The unwritten rules and safety at charging stations

Public chargers are still few compared with the cars that use them, so common sense makes a real difference. And a few safety rules spare you trouble with the car and the cable.

Good manners at the charger

• Move your car when you are done. A charging bay is not a parking space. Many networks charge idle fees once charging has finished.
• At a fast charger, charge only what you need, usually to 70–80%. The last 20% takes a long time, and others are waiting.
• Don’t park a petrol car in a charging bay.
• Don’t unplug someone else’s cable unless the station and the owner explicitly allow it.
• Tidy the cable after use and put it back. A cable left on the ground gets driven over and damaged.
• Report a faulty charger to the operator, so others don’t waste their time too.

Cable and connector safety

• Look at the cable and connector before you use them. Cracked insulation, burnt or blackened pins and connectors that don’t seat properly are reasons not to charge.
• Don’t force the connector or pull on the cable to remove it. Unlock charging from the car or the app.
• Don’t use improvised adapters or extension leads.

Can I charge in the rain?

Yes. Charging connectors and sockets are built for outdoor use, and current only starts to flow once the car and the station have “talked” to each other and the connector is locked. Still, avoid leaving the connector in standing water and wipe it if snow or ice gets in.

When the car refuses to charge

Try another station or another cable to find out whether the problem is the station or the car. If the car won’t charge anywhere, or only charges at fast chargers, the problem is the car: port, latch, on-board charger or control unit.

For an overview of charging options, read where you can charge an EV.