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A Quick Guide to EV Charging Etiquette

How to make the most of your ChargeSmart EV charging experience

As EV adoption accelerates, public charging has become an essential part of the daily routine for many drivers. At ChargeSmart EV, we design our stations to be fast, reliable, and convenient, but a great charging experience also depends on courtesy from everyone who plugs in. Here is a simple etiquette guide to help keep our stations running smoothly for all drivers.

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1. Move Your Vehicle Once Charging Is Complete

ChargeSmart EV stations send real-time updates through the app, so you always know when your session is nearly finished. Enable notifications and plan to return a little before your vehicle reaches its target charge.

Freeing up a charger promptly helps reduce wait times, especially at busy locations. Many site hosts also enforce time limits or idle fees for vehicles that stay plugged in after charging is complete.

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2. Charge Only What You Need

Our stations support efficient top-off sessions, which often get drivers back on the road faster than charging to 100 percent. A quick boost also keeps chargers available for others.

If you do need a full charge, consider doing so during off-peak times. Level 2 ChargeSmart EV stations add roughly 20 to 25 miles of range per hour, while our DC Fast Charging units can deliver around 100 miles of range per hour depending on your vehicle’s capabilities.

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3. Choose the Right ChargeSmart EV Station

ChargeSmart EV sites typically feature Level 2 chargers for everyday use and DC Fast Charging for longer trips.

• Level 2: Great for topping off while shopping, dining, or working.
• DC Fast Charging: Ideal when you need a quick turnaround or are traveling long distances.

Keep in mind that your EV has a maximum charging speed, so select the station that best matches your vehicle’s performance without occupying a higher-powered unit unnecessarily.

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4. Only Park in a Charging Spot If You Are Actively Charging

ChargeSmart EV spaces are dedicated charging areas, not general EV parking. If you are not charging, please use a regular parking spot. This helps ensure that chargers remain available for drivers who truly need them.

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5. Avoid Unplugging Someone Else’s Car

Even if a vehicle appears finished, do not remove another driver’s connector. The ChargeSmart EV app gives drivers the option to leave notes or indicate whether unplugging is allowed after a certain time. When in doubt, leave the cable alone.

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6. Keep Cables Neat and Report Issues

After your session, return the ChargeSmart EV cable to its holder and avoid leaving it on the ground. If you notice a damaged cable or station issue, report it through the app so our support team can address it quickly.

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Charging Made Better for Everyone

With a few simple habits, EV drivers can help keep ChargeSmart EV stations efficient, accessible, and pleasant to use. Thoughtful charging builds a stronger EV community and supports the continued growth of sustainable transportation.

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If you're an EV driver and you want to share your experience with us, or get additional information, reach out to us today!

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