Charge Ready NY 2.0 Newsletter

Discussion: Etiquette at Charging Stations

As EV adoption and demand for charging stations grow, it is important to be courteous to your fellow drivers. Below are some best practices for charging at public stations:

• Check plug compatibility and charging rate before arrival: Before heading to a charging station, confirm your EV supports the available plug type (e.g., CCS, CHAdeMO, NACS, J1772). With more automakers adopting NACS and more drivers gaining access to Tesla's Supercharger network , staying informed about your vehicle's compatibility is essential to optimizing your experience and minimizing congestion. Use tools like PlugShare or ChargePoint to filter stations by plug type and bring appropriate adapters if needed. Additionally, consider your EV’s maximum charging rate. For example, a Chevrolet Bolt EV has a maximum charging rate of around 55 kW and should avoid using ultra-fast 350 kW chargers if other lower-powered chargers are available for use.
• Avoid charging to 100% at a DCFC public station: Because maintaining battery levels between 20% and 80% is optimal for battery health and longevity , charging speed slows considerably once 80% capacity is reached. Charging beyond this point is not only inefficient and bad for your vehicle's battery, it also unnecessarily extends the wait time for other drivers.
• Move your EV promptly after charging: Leaving your EV plugged in after charging is complete blocks access for others (and may cause you to incur additional idle fees). Many apps and networks, like Tesla and ChargePoint, notify users when charging is done to encourage timely turnover.
• Never unplug an EV that isn’t yours: Unplugging someone else’s EV without permission is considered improper behavior and may risk damaging the vehicle if it has a locking mechanism to keep the charging cable in place.
• Return the charging connector to its holster when finished: Never leave the charging cable on the ground. This can cause damage to the equipment and create a tripping hazard. Until cable management systems become standard, it’s important to holster the connector properly for the next user.
• Be courteous: To maintain a positive EV charging experience for all parties involved, avoid blocking nearby spaces, playing loud music, or leaving litter.

Bonus Discussion: Idle Fees

To reduce congestion and promote efficient charger use, site operators may consider implementing idle fees, which apply when a vehicle remains parked after its charging session ends. Implementing a fair idle fee helps reduce charger congestion, improves infrastructure efficiency, and encourages responsible charging behavior. Below are key considerations for site operators:

• Technical Compatibility: Ensure your electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and network provider support idle fee capabilities. Some providers, like ChargePoint , offer built-in features, while others may require software upgrades or configuration changes. Consulting with your provider can help determine feasibility.
• Charger Location and Utilization Patterns: Idle fees are most effective in high-traffic areas where charger congestion is high and availability is limited. Tesla’s Supercharger network idle fees only apply when a Supercharger site is at 50% capacity, and double at 100% capacity. Analyzing utilization patterns of your charging station site(s) can help determine if idle fees would alleviate congestion.
• Clear User Communication and Customer Support: Idle fee policies must be clearly communicated through signage, apps, and websites. Transparent messaging helps users understand when and why fees apply. Providing responsive customer support also helps address billing questions or disputes.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliant Payment Systems: Considering ADA-compliant payment systems when designing and rolling out fair idle fee policies is paramount to accommodating EVSE users with disabilities.
• Fee Structure and Timing: Determining an equitable and appropriate fee structure and grace period is critical for balancing customer satisfaction and alleviating congestion at your charging station. For example, Tesla only applies idle fees after a five-minute grace period once the charging session is completed.
• Pilot Idle Fee Structures First Before Launching at Scale: Adjusting idle fee rates based on user feedback and observed congestion alleviation rates during a smaller-scale pilot can help create a fair and effective system for broader implementation.

Ride-and-Drive Highlight

Brand Felt Group held its ride-and-drive event, inviting colleagues to learn more about EVs and giving them the opportunity to drive them. Showcasing charging options and EVs and answering questions over a barbecue lunch, the event was a major success.

Industry News

• Slate Auto debuted its bare-bones, fully customizable electric pickup with 150 miles on a single charge and a price of less than $20,000 after federal tax credits.
• Startup company 3V Infrastructure seeks to provide financing for charging infrastructure installation in multifamily housing. 3V is promoting charging-as-a-service as a business model for multi-unit dwelling property owners.
• Charged summarized data analytics firm Paren's new report on EV charging sites from Q1 of 2025. It suggests that EV charging networks are improving in reliability, number of ports and sites, cables provided on-site, and standardized kWh pricing, with further improvement projected as the industry continues to grow in the United States.
• Electrek released a list of EVs that can be leased for $200–$400 per month. The list includes current-year models with rates from a wide variety of EV automakers.