What is the polite way to queue for a charging station? Is it ok to disconnect other vehicles? And how do you park? Manners experts Debrett’s creates a definitive guide to the dos and don’ts of electric vehicle etiquette
- Survey shows 49 percent of 2,000 car owners are not clear about EV etiquette
- Vauxhall has vowed to offer fully electric versions of all their models by 2024
Manners experts Debrett’s teamed up with Vauxhall to create the definitive guide to electric vehicle etiquette, including some dos and don’ts that drivers may not be aware of.
The EV etiquette guide includes tips on the polite way to charge your car when visiting friends, advice on how to queue when waiting at a public charging station, and whether it’s okay to unplug other vehicles when charging points.
It also includes guidelines for leaving charging points in the condition you hope to find them and advice on having enough space for larger vehicles to fit into public charging stations next to you.
Vauxhall, which has pledged to offer all-electric versions of all models in its vehicle range by 2024, worked with Debrett’s to create the guide.
The guide follows a survey by the automaker which found that 70 percent of motorists believe there is a lack of guidance on aspects of electric car ownership, including charging.
Manners experts Debrett’s team up with UK car giant Vauxhall to create the definitive guide to the dos and don’ts of electric vehicle etiquette
The EV Etiquette Guide includes tips on the polite way to charge your car when visiting friends, advice on how to queue when waiting at a public charging station, and whether it’s okay to charge other vehicles. disconnect at charging points
Vauxhall has pledged to offer fully electric versions of all models in its vehicle range by 2024
It found that 49 percent of the 2,000 car owners surveyed claimed they were “not clear at all” about the general dos and don’ts when it comes to electric vehicle etiquette.
Liz Wyse, from Debrett’s, said: ‘As the electric vehicle revolution transforms our roads, our behavior and etiquette must accommodate these changes. It is clear that many motorists are unsure about the etiquette surrounding EV ownership.
“The new Electric Vehicle Etiquette Guide aims to address these uncertainties by providing clear guidance on charging and parking protocols, as well as some recommendations on good etiquette that will contribute to a civilized and enjoyable EV experience.”
The guide also advises those using a fast charging point to ensure they don’t stay longer than necessary and cause others to miss out.
And those with larger vehicles should be careful not to cross into the space next door – and interfere with other drivers who need to use the bays.
Vauxhall’s research also found that charging issues are high on the list of reasons why petrol or diesel drivers are discouraged from switching.
Exactly two-thirds (66 percent) say they’re worried about how far they can get on a single charge, and 60 percent are worried about charging times.
The recommendation includes good timekeeping when it comes to returning to an EV after charging is complete. This is especially the case with public devices where queues can build up during busy periods
And 63 per cent are concerned about a lack of charging points, with recent reports suggesting the UK’s EV charger network is struggling under the load.
But 37 percent of all motorists surveyed believe that the main benefit of driving an electric car is the reduced impact on the environment.
While 43 percent would benefit from the lower operating costs, and the same percentage would benefit from no emission or congestion zone charges.
Nearly half (46 percent) of EV owners surveyed, as part of the OnePoll survey, also found they couldn’t park in a charging station because a non-electric vehicle was using it.
Vauxhall director James Taylor said: ‘As part of our mission to electrify Britain and become an electric-only brand from 2028, we are committed to making owning an electric car as easy as possible.
“With over three-quarters of motorists unsure about EV etiquette, this very British guide has been designed to answer all the everyday questions of prospective EV owners.”