EV Charging Station Etiquette in Virginia
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There are a high number of car buyers that are turning to electric and hybrid cars for their next vehicle, which means there is a demand for more charging stations around Virginia. If you get an electric vehicle and need to find a charging station, there are specific rules you will need to follow to ensure everyone gets their turn at the charger. Even the most advanced electric vehicles will take more time to charge than simply filling your vehicle up with gasoline. Below we have created a list of do's and don't when it comes to charging your vehicle so you can sharpen your charging manners. That way, you won't short-circuit if you see other drivers not playing by the rules. Once you are done reading, check out our vast inventory of electric and hybrid vehicles on our website.
Go to the Correct Plug
Once you have found your public charging station, you need to make sure that you are parking at the right plug-in point. For instance, if you have a vehicle that isn't compatible with DC Fast Charing, you need to make sure you are parking at a Level 2 charging station. Also, be sure to check your surroundings so that you are not skipping ahead in line so that you don't tick off the drivers who might be waiting in line. There is nothing more annoying to other drivers than people who don't know where they need to charge and hold up the line for other vehicles waiting to use the charger.
The Charger is not a Resting Place
There is one thing that we need to bring to the attention of all EV drivers; it's that a charging station is not a place where you can park your vehicle all day and all night. Some EV owners will often use a charge point for an hour-long parking spot rather than a place where they need to recharge their vehicle and go. Free chargers are in high demand, and public charging stations usually charge extra fees if the detectors detect an EV vehicle still parked in one of the parking spots. In addition, there might be drivers of gas or diesel-powered cars who might need a place to park, so they choose a charging spot to place their vehicle. Be sure that you don't park in the spot if your car isn't an EV.
Be Considerate
Remember in school when we were all taught the golden rule? Well, that applies to EV charging, too! You will encounter times when you see an electric car camped out at a charging point all day, or you may see a fuel-guzzling vehicle parked right at a plug-in point. It's good to keep in mind that humans are going to be human, and this happens at gas stations too. So you should never expect any kind of special consideration just because you are driving an electric vehicle. The only thing you can control is your actions, so be sure that when you are done charing your vehicle to make your way out as quickly as possible.
Don't Unplug Your Neighbor
There is one vital piece of EV etiquette that we have to bring to the attention of all drivers: never unplug another vehicle. You would never walk up to someone who is in the middle of refueling their gasoline and snatch the nozzle away just because you are in a hurry, would you? While there are times when it might be tempting, you should never unplug another vehicle, even if you see someone abusing a charging point. Just grin and bear it, and then find another alternative. To go along with this, some drivers will need to step away while their EV is charging, and that's okay. Just remember that the charging station is filled with all kinds of electric cars, and it might be a good idea to leave a note saying you have made a quick pitstop and won't be gone long.
Keep Track of Your Progress
It's a good idea to use apps like PlugShare or Electrify America to alert any other EV drivers of the pros and cons of the charging station you visit. This will let other EV drivers know about any inoperative stations, rates for charging, and what amenities could be available at the different locations. Paying it forward to other EV drivers will be the best thing for everyone down the road. In addition, additional smartphone apps are an excellent tool for tracking your real-time charging progress. You can use apps like ChargePoint, EVgo, and Electrify America, designed by automakers for specific EV models. With a few simple touches to your smartphone screen, you will be informed if your EV is ready to go or if more time is needed.
Get a new EV at Pearson Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Now that you know the proper etiquette at all of the EV charging stations, it's time to get yourself an electric or hybrid vehicle if you don't already have one! Here at Pearson Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, we have quite a selection of hybrid vehicles, such as the Grand Cherokee 4xe and the Wrangler 4xe, that are perfect for getting you from place to place without any hassle. Don't just take our word for how remarkable these vehicles are, find out for yourself by heading down to Pearson Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and scheduling a test drive with our amazing sales team. If you enjoy your test drive, we have a complete finance center where our team will work with you towards a great deal and take your trade-in if you have one. You can also view our entire EV inventory here on our website.
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