7 etiquette tips for EV drivers.

Welcome to the electrifying world of electric vehicles (EVs)! As the popularity of EVs continues to grow, creating a positive public charging environment has never been more important. In this blog, we’ll offer you some valuable tips that will help you help us (and the entire EV community) make every charging experience a great one.

1. Dispose of garbage properly.

Reduce, reuse and recycle. Driving electric is a significant step towards creating a sustainable future. However, to truly align with this goal it is crucial for EV drivers to refrain from littering and instead use designated garbage bins or bags. Quick tip: keep a garbage bag in your EV in case there is no available garbage bin near the public chargers you visit. It is important to keep all charging spaces tidy and litter free.

2. Charge and go.

Always remember that EV charging stations are not resting areas. Be mindful of your fellow EV drivers’ needs and avoid occupying charging spots unnecessarily once your vehicle is fully charged. By doing so, you enable others to access the charging stations promptly and help reduce waiting times. Ivy has a lot of members that need to charge up their rides.

3. Keep cables tidy.

After charging, take a moment to neatly coil the cable and place it back in its designated holder. (Don’t be tripping). This small act not only ensures readiness for the next user, but also enhances safety and convenience for all.

4. Report malfunctioning chargers.

If you encounter a charging station that is experiencing issues, notify the charging station operator right away. At Ivy, we encourage customers to contact our 24/7 support team by emailing support@ivycharge.com or calling 1-800-301-1950. Reporting these issues ensures that necessary repairs are made promptly, and the charging station can be brought back to optimal working condition.

5. Park properly.

When using public charging stations, it is important to park properly to ensure that everyone can access the charging points conveniently. Always park your EV within the designated charging spaces and avoid blocking other charging stations, even if they are not in use. Additionally, only park in our charging spots if you’re actively charging your EV (or if you don’t even drive electric).

6. Plan your journey ahead of time.

Before getting on the road, take a moment to plan your trip efficiently by checking out the availability of charging stations along your route. Familiarize yourself with charging station locations and charging speeds. Download any necessary charging apps such as PlugShare for locations. At Ivy, we recommend all drivers download our mobile app, Ivy Charging Network 2.0, so they can see the real-time charger status. Efficient trip planning not only benefits you by optimizing your travel time, but also helps reduce congestion at charging stations, making the overall charging experience more pleasant for everyone.

7. Help other EV drivers out.

The EV world is an exciting and rapidly evolving industry, which means there are many new drivers on the road who might not be fully familiar with EV charging yet. If you find yourself with some extra time, consider lending a helping hand to fellow EV drivers. Offering them valuable tips, assisting them in the charging process, or showing them which apps to use for locating charging stations can go a long way in making their EV journey smooth.

Embracing EV charging etiquette is not just a matter of convenience but a collective effort to shape a cleaner, friendlier, and more sustainable future for all. By following these valuable tips and practices, we can create a positive charging environment that benefits every EV driver and contributes to the growth of the electric vehicle community. Let’s charge with kindness and drive towards a cleaner and more sustainable world, one electric kilometre at a time. Happy charging!