EV charging etiquette
Watts Around is about making good use of the time your car spends on charge: a coffee, a wander, a look round the shops. The other half of the deal is getting back in time. Here’s how to handle a public charging stop so it works for you and for the drivers after you.
In short: explore while you charge, then come back. A charging bay is yours while your car is taking on charge, and no longer.
1. Before you set off
Work out roughly how much charge you need to reach home or your next stop. If your car lets you set a charging limit, set it before you plug in, so it stops at the right point even if you lose track of time.
Think about which charger suits your car. If it can only take around 50 kW, an ultra-rapid bay won’t charge it any faster, so where a site has a choice, leave the most powerful bays for cars that can use them. It also helps to have a second charger in mind nearby, in case your first choice is busy or out of action.
2. When you arrive
If every bay is taken, wait somewhere that doesn’t block the bays, the access road or other parking spaces. It’s first come, first served, and a quick, friendly word with the driver already charging usually tells you how long they’ll be.
If a bay is blocked by a petrol or diesel car, or by an electric car that isn’t charging, let the site staff or the car park operator know and try another bay or charger. Stay calm and leave the car alone.
If the charger isn’t working, report it to the network using the phone number or app shown on the unit, so it’s repaired sooner. Our listings come from open, community-run data, so if a charger on Watts Around has moved or gone, please tell us too.
3. While you’re plugged in
This is the part we help with. Each charger page lists what’s a short walk away and the timer shows what fits a 20, 40, 60 or 90-minute stop, with the walk back and 5 minutes spare already included. Choose the time your charge will take, not the time you’d like to be away. A sit-down lunch doesn’t fit a 20-minute top-up.
- Keep your phone on you and switch on charging alerts in the network’s app.
- Look for a maximum stay sign at the bays. Some sites have one, and some networks add idle fees.
- If you’re running late, head back and move the car, then carry on with your visit.
4. When you’ve got the charge you need
On a rapid charger that’s usually around 80%. Above that, most cars charge much more slowly to look after the battery, so the last fifth can take as long as everything before it. Unless you need the extra range, that’s the time to unplug.
Hang the cable back on its holder so it isn’t left on the ground, where it can trip someone or get damaged and put the charger out of action. Then move the car. If you want to stay longer, an ordinary parking space is the place for it.
If another driver’s car has finished
Don’t unplug it, even if it looks full. The cable and the car are theirs, many connectors lock while charging, and you could damage either. Ask the site staff or contact the network using the details on the charger.
Slower chargers are a different case
Slower chargers at hotels, attractions, workplaces and long-stay car parks are meant for longer visits, so you don’t need to rush back at 80%. Stick to any time limit shown, and check you’re allowed to use them if you aren’t a customer.
Common questions
Can I leave my car charging while I go for a coffee?
Yes. That’s what Watts Around is for. Just choose something that fits inside your charging time, keep your app’s alerts switched on, and be back before the car reaches the charge you need.
Is it rude to stay plugged in once my car has finished?
Yes. A finished car in a charging bay stops the next driver charging at all. If you want to stay longer, move to an ordinary parking space. Some networks also charge an idle fee for every minute you stay plugged in after charging ends.
Why do drivers stop rapid charging at around 80%?
Because charging slows down sharply near the top to protect the battery. Getting from 80% to 100% can take about as long as getting to 80% in the first place. Stopping early saves you time and frees the charger sooner.
Can a plug-in hybrid use a rapid charger?
Most plug-in hybrids can’t use rapid chargers at all, and the few that can only charge slowly on them. A slower charger suits them better and keeps rapid bays free for drivers on long journeys.
What should I do if a petrol or diesel car is parked in a charging bay?
Tell the staff at the site or the car park operator, then use your charging app to find the nearest free charger. Don’t block the car in, leave a note or take it up with the driver.