Guides
Charging etiquette
The unwritten rules of a shared charger — when to move, when to wait, and what not to do.
Move when you're done
The whole thing
Five rules, and that is genuinely all of them
- Move when you're doneA finished car in a bay is the single most common complaint in public charging.
- Don't fill to the topThe last stretch is the slowest. Take what you need and leave the bay free.
- Never unplug a strangerMost cars lock the cable anyway, and it is the fastest way to start a row.
- Rehang the cableOff the ground, back in its holster. The next driver arrives in the dark.
- Be honest about timeIf someone asks how long you'll be, tell them the real number.
The single rule that matters. A DC fast charger is a shared resource, and a finished car occupying one is the most common frustration in public charging. At HubCharge our attendant unplugs you at participating locations, so there is nothing to race back for — but at other networks, set a timer.
Don't charge to 100% at a fast charger
Past roughly 80% your car slows charging dramatically to protect the battery. Those last twenty percentage points can take as long as the first sixty, while someone waits. Charge what you need to reach your destination or your next stop, and go.
Never unplug someone else's car
Most EVs lock the connector while charging, and unplugging a stranger’s car is the fastest way to start an argument in a car park. If a car looks finished and abandoned, the network’s support number is on the charger.
Leave the space as you found it
Re-holster the cable rather than leaving it on the ground — a cable across the tarmac is a trip hazard and the connector is expensive. Park inside the lines so the next car can reach the plug.
Queue politely, and be honest about time
If someone is waiting, tell them roughly how long you need. Ten minutes is a very different wait from forty, and most people are happy to plan around a straight answer.
Ready to try full-service charging?
Pull up, stay in your car, and let our team handle the rest — no app needed.