'Everyone should have one': This hack could save arguments at the charger

Yesterday at 12:00 AM

Waiting to use an electric car charger when another vehicle occupying it has long finished topping up is a major bugbear for many owners – which is why Tesla has come up with a solution to fix it.

That fix, it seems, is as simple as a photo of a laminated piece of paper with an “estimated charging completion time” and the owner’s contact number on it. Who knew it was that easy?

Sharing a picture on the Tesla La Kopi Singapore Facebook group after discovering the sign at a public charger, a user wrote, “This is such a great idea! Hang a note on your car to inform anyone when you expect to be done with charging. Bravo to you!”.

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The idea gained a lot of support in the comments section.

“Everyone should have one,” said one user.

“The car dealer should include this during car delivery,” said another.

We could not find this label for sale anywhere, but one user did comment that it was given as part of a care package from Tesla Singapore for its first 100 Model Ys.

Charging wait times have been a hot topic among vehicle owners since the growth in popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) with particular focus put on ‘charger hogging’.

As a few users pointed out, if everyone downloaded the PlugShare app, they would be able to communicate with other EV owners and ensure that the chargers are shared.

The NRMA also advises EV owners to download the app.

“While it’s perfectly acceptable to leave your vehicle on the charger while you go grab a coffee or quick bite to eat, it’s recommended you download and use the smartphone apps PlugShare and NeedToCharge that will allow other drivers to contact you should they need to check how long you’ll be. This is the best way to prevent any grumbles from those waiting in line on your return,” it said in a blog post.

Can you be fined for overstaying on an EV charger?

Over the past year, some charger suppliers have begun charging an ‘idle fee’ based on how long your car is left plugged in when it’s fully charged. 

Telsa charges $0.50 per minute that you leave your car plugged in beyond your set charging parameters. This fee increases to $1 per minute when all other chargers are occupied.

Telsa says, “The Tesla app allows owners to remotely monitor their vehicle, alerting them when their charge is nearly complete and again once it reaches the charge threshold. For every additional minute a vehicle remains connected to the Supercharger, it will incur an idle fee”.

ChargeFox, which operates chargers in partnership with providers such as the RAA, NRMA and Woolworths, introduced a fee that charges $1 per minute in idle fees if you’re not back at your car in 10 minutes after completing a charge.

Rob Asselman from ChargeFox said that the idle fees they introduced had been well received by the public.

“I’ve never seen a market celebrate the introduction of a new fee like the idle charging fee. We got amazing feedback from the drivers who use our network,” he told Drive back in March.

Jolt also has idle fees of $1 per minute overstayed on the charger.

“Once your vehicle reaches a maximum charge of 100 per cent, you must end your charge and leave the charging bay. If your vehicle remains plugged in and parked at the charging station, you will be charged an idle fee. The idle fee is charged at $1 p/minute to deter overstaying and maintain accessibility for all users,” says Jolt.

“We’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to our charging stations when they are available and not in use, so we need your help to encourage fair and efficient use of our resources.”

The post ‘Everyone should have one’: This hack could save arguments at the charger appeared first on Drive.