EV charging etiquette – your ultimate guide

What is EV charging etiquette and why is it important?

We all know the rules of the road thanks to The Official Highway Code. But there’s no such code to help us get to grips with the rights and wrongs of car charging.

Pulling up to your first EV charge point can be a bit daunting, but you’ll usually find help is at hand if you need it.

There’s a real sense of community amongst EV owners, and experienced drivers will often offer help if they see someone struggling at a charger. They’ve been there: every EV driver is new to charging at some point, after all.

When it comes to EV etiquette, you’ll find a lot of it comes down to common sense and common courtesy.

Here’s our guide to the dos and don’ts of electric vehicle charging, to help you understand the etiquette that can make life on the road a little more pleasant.

What is the right way to use a public EV charging station?

At the last count, there were 1.4 million fully electric cars on UK roads (Zapmap, February 2025) – and that number is rising. The government expects there to be up to 10 million by 2030.

To keep up with demand, the number of public charging stations is also growing. But we also need more clarity to help EV drivers understand the etiquette of charging.

A Sainsbury’s Smart Charge survey in July 2024 found that almost nine in ten EV drivers (88%) experience frustration due to a lack of etiquette towards EV drivers’ needs, especially around charging.

So here are some answers to a few questions that will help build a mutual understanding around charging.

Are EV charging bays only for plug-in vehicles?

Yes, public chargers are for plug-in vehicles only – but only if you’re actively charging your car. It’s bad form to take up a charging bay simply to park your electric car.

A quarter of EV drivers (24%) from the Sainsbury’s survey cited frustration about drivers pretending to charge to take a convenient parking spot. Yet more than half (51%) admitted to bending these rules themselves.

Can you use a public charger if you have a plug-in hybrid car?

Public chargers are for any electric vehicle that can plug in a charging cable – including plug-in hybrids.

Some drivers with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) don’t like to see plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) taking up charging bays at service stations – as they can fill up with fuel at the pump.

Many hybrid owners, however, want to limit the amount of fossil fuel they use.

Use the right connector

The two main types of EV charger are AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). You’ll be able to charge your electric car if the connector at the end of the EV charging cable can plug into your car’s charging port.

Plug-types are very different, so don’t try to force the wrong one into your car. You could end up damaging your car, the charger – or both.

What does ‘ICEing’ mean at a car charging station?

ICEing is the term that’s come to be used to describe a combustion engine vehicle parking in an EV charging spot. It’s something that annoys the EV community, as the ICE vehicles (cars fuelled by petrol or diesel) block the space for EV drivers who need to charge.

EV charge points are for drivers who are actively charging their electric cars. But the wide, convenient EV parking bays are sometimes too much of a temptation for drivers of vehicles with an internal combustion engine (ICE).

Can you report a driver for ICEing?

Yes, in some cases you can report ICEing incidents. You can contact the relevant local authority, who may issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) to non-EV drivers parked in EV-dedicated bays.

Some charge point operators (CPOs), like Connected Kerb, allow you to report ICEing. You can also report it to the site owner, who might be able to find the driver, and get them to move on.

The Charge Saint app lets you report ICEing, as well as ghost-charging (see below) and broken chargers.

What does ‘ghost charging’ mean?

Ghost charging is when an EV driver uses a dedicated charging bay simply to take a handy parking space. They park up and plug in when they don’t need to charge, to the annoyance of other EV drivers who do need to charge.

Is it ok to park in an EV charging bay and not charge your car?

No, like ghost charging, other EV drivers’ frown on this. Parking in an EV charging bay and not plugging in at all is known as ‘bay hogging’. It blocks a bay for people who need to charge. It can also leave you out of pocket.

Parking in a dedicated EV parking spot without actively charging your car could land you with a PCN from a local authority – or a Parking Charge Notice from a private parking operator (depending on local laws and restrictions).

How long can I stay in an EV charging bay?

It’s best to leave a charging bay as soon as you can after you’ve got the charge you need. That way, you free up the space for the next EV.

Look out for signs warning about time limits. The local authority or site operator could fine you if you overstay your welcome.

You also need to be aware that some charge point operators (CPOs) can add an idle fee (or overstay fee) to the cost of your charging. This is to discourage drivers from staying plugged in after charging is complete.

For instance, you’ll be charged an idle fee for every minute you leave your car on charge after it’s fully charged at a Tesla Supercharger, if the station’s charging bays are half full. The fee doubles when all the bays are full.

Other CPOs that issue idle fees include Believ and Osprey.

Is it ok to leave my EV plugged in even though it’s fully charged?

It’s common courtesy to get out of a charging bay once you’re fully charged, to avoid blocking another EV driver. Some charge point operator’s charging apps will help you keep track of your charge, so you know when to return and move your car.

Is it okay to charge to 100% at a public charge point?

There’s nothing stopping you leaving your car to fully charge, but best practice is to only charge to 80% whenever possible. You’d be tying up a charger that others could be using, only to make slower gains to your battery charge once it’s reached 80%.

This might not be practical for EVs with a small battery capacity. If your maximum driving range is only 120 miles, then every kilowatt of charge helps.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that speeds slow substantially after 80% charge, due to the physics of the battery. Plus, most EVs are designed to deliberately slow the rate of charge at this point, to prevent the battery from overheating and protect its lifespan.

Are there any special rules at rapid EV charger points?

There are a few important points to note about DC charging. First, there are three types:

• Fast charging (< 49kW) – fast DC charging at hotels and supermarket car parks
• Rapid charging (50 - 150kW) – rapid DC charging at motorway services and fuel stations
• Ultra-rapid charging (over 150kW) – ultra-rapid DC charging at motorway service stations and specialised forecourts
  

You’ll pay more at rapid and ultra-rapid charging stations, this is because you are paying for a higher power output, enabling you to charge your EV quickly.

Understand your maximum charging speed

Every electric car has a maximum charging speed, which affects how quickly you can charge your battery – and the type of charger you choose.

First, you need to know your EV’s maximum charging speed. You’ll find that in your car manufacturer’s specifications. Charge point operator Believ also has a handy tool that lets you look it up by entering your car registration number.

Next, you need to understand the charger’s power output. The charging power of rapid DC chargers in supermarket car parks and forecourts is generally 150kW; ultra-rapid chargers at motorway service stations are usually around 300kW.

If your car’s maximum charge speed is 150kW, you’ll get the full charging speed at a 150kW rapid charger but you won’t charge any faster at a 300kW ultra-rapid charger. So, if you have the choice, choose the rapid charger, and leave the ultra-rapid chargers for vehicles with a higher maximum charge speed.

Electric vehicle model comparison of maximum charge speeds

*Electric vehicle maximum charge speed by model referenced from What Car?

Don’t use a rapid charge point as a destination charger

While some public chargers are intended for ‘destination charging’, others are not.

The destination chargers you find at shopping centres, garden centres, restaurants and the like are there to encourage you to spend time – and money – when you’re there.

Destination charging tends to fall into two categories: long-stay and short-stay. A mixture of faster DC chargers and slower AC chargers are usually installed to accommodate both.

Charging your car at a destination charger for the whole time you shop or eat is perfectly acceptable but keep your eye out for time limits. You don’t want a fine.

The rapid and ultra-rapid chargers at forecourts and motorway service stations are designed to service high volumes of traffic, fast. There’s still time to grab a quick coffee or take a comfort break while your vehicle charges. But if you plan to stay longer, it’s considerate to move out of the charging bay to free up the space.

What else do I need to know about EV charging etiquette?

To build a common set of behavioural standards around EV charging, it helps to apply a healthy dose of common sense. Here are a few things we can all do to make life at the chargers that bit easier.

Help others at the charge point

If you see someone struggling with EV charging, it might only take a moment to help them solve their problem. According to The AA EV Recharge Report for January 2025, 95% of charge point problems are simple to solve. The calls they get are often from drivers using a public charger for the first time.

According to the report, getting the charger to start was the top reason EV drivers called for help (16%). Getting the charger to stop was the second most common reason (11%), followed by pricing queries and stuck cables (both 7%).

Leave enough room round your vehicle when you’re at a DC charger

Many rapid charging posts in the UK service two charging bays – many will be equipped with two CCS2 and sometimes one CHAdeMO cable.

So, while you’re parking up, leave plenty of space around your car to allow another EV to charge in the next bay. It’s worth remembering that a charging port could be positioned in any one of the four corners of an EV or on the front (unlike petrol or diesel cars that only fuel up from the rear sides).

Charge port positions in electric cars in the UK

According to Gridserve, the rear right is the most common position for a charging port for EVs in the UK (37%); followed by rear left (28%); front left (21%), central front (9%) and front right (5%).

Take the cable from your side of the charger

When a charge point has two bays, you should always take the cable from the side of the charger you’re parked on.

Taking it from the opposite side can get the cables into a tangled mess – and will take the second bay out of action if the cable doesn’t stretch to the other EV’s port.

Report chargers when they’re not working

EV charging apps like Octopus Electroverse and Zapmap are invaluable when planning your EV journey. They give you the location, type and availability of chargers up and down the country – and crucially, they let you know if they’re working.

Of course, they’ll get data to keep this information up to date from charge point operators (CPOs), but also from the EV driving community.

If you want to help, report any out-of-order charge points you come across. You can do this via a charging app, or to the CPO directly: their contact details should be on the charging post.

CPOs will be keen to fix any reported faults quickly to protect their reliability scores, following the introduction of the new Public Charge Point Regulations that came into force in November 2024.

Under these rules, CPOs must make sure chargers over 50kW are 99% reliable (this is the average reliability of the entire network across the year).

Keeping EV charging stations safe

Once you’ve finished charging, there are a few things you can do to make sure the charging area is safe for the next user, and for pedestrians.

Avoid creating a trip hazard by returning the charging cable, making sure it’s fully retracted, and placing the connector back in its holster.

When you’re driving or reversing out of the space, be aware of your surroundings. Pedestrians won’t always realise you’re on the move, as EVs are quieter than ICE vehicles.

Be prepared to queue occasionally at peak times

Thankfully, the availability of public chargers is growing with the rising number of EVs on the road.

In February 2025, there were 75,675 public EV chargers installed across the UK – a 32% increase from the previous year. By 2030, the government aims to have 300,000 charge points installed, in line with its forecast for charging demand.

But you still might find you have to queue at busy times, especially bank holidays. Anticipating the delay, and building enough time into your journey, can help keep stress levels down.

If you plan to leave your car while the queue dies down, make sure you don’t block other drivers in while they charge.

When your turn arrives, only charge what you need; it might be helpful to let the car behind you know how long you’ll be.

But if you’re really pushed for time, you can use one of the EV charger apps, like Octopus Electroverse and Zapmap, to find a nearby station that’s not so busy.

Workplace charging EV etiquette

Workplace charging has its own etiquette, and it’s a bit different to that of public charging. First, it’s important to respect the needs of your colleagues and your employer’s policies.

There aren’t usually enough charging stations for every EV-driving worker to have their own space – not to mention visitors coming for meetings. Once you finish your charge, move on to allow the next car in.

Workplace WhatsApp groups and Microsoft Teams channels are a good way to communicate with other EV drivers. You and your colleagues might also want to get together, to present the case for installing more office chargers if demand outstrips supply.

Home charging EV etiquette

Charging at home will always be cheaper and easier than using public chargers. If you have the space and budget, getting a home charger installed could be worthwhile.

If you’d like to use someone else’s home charger while you visit, be mindful of using their electricity. It’s very hard to know how much you’ve used, so it’s difficult to work out costs.

So only use what you need and avoid charging from 80% to 100%, as your charging speed will slow significantly at this point. You might want to offer to pay something towards the costs or give them a thank-you gift.

If someone you visit doesn’t own an electric car and you would like to ‘trickle charge’ from a 3-pin plug, it’s polite to explain how this works. Mention the length of time it could take and electricity usage. And of course, offer to reimburse them.

If you have a home charger, you can make a bit of money by renting it out, through apps like JustPark and Co Charger. Some people make enough to cover their monthly energy bills.

Summary

There’s no shame in asking for help if you’re not sure what to do at a charge point – every EV driver is new to charging at some point. You’ll often find help is at hand when you need it, as many EV drivers help out when they see someone struggling to charge.

And here are a few of the key things we can all do help make charging as smooth as possible for everyone:

Illustrative images are AI generated.