Your essential guide to electric vehicle charging etiquette Your essential guide to electric vehicle charging etiquette

    Considering hiring an electrical vehicle (EV) for your next trip out of town, but nervous about charging it? This guide has you covered.

First of all, don’t worry. It’s common for first-time EV drivers to find the prospect of charging their car a bit daunting, worrying they’ll get it wrong while there’s a rapidly growing queue of cars behind them.

But charging your EV isn’t that different to filling up at a regular petrol station. You’ll get the hang of it soon enough with our guide to EV charging etiquette. From understanding your EV’s charging requirements to the do’s and don’ts of arriving and parking at the station, our guide to EV charging best practices will make it so easy, you’ll only ever want to drive electric again.

Types of EV stations

    There are four types of EV charging stations which provide different levels of power to an EV, with one being the lowest and four the highest. Below is an overview of the different charging levels you will find across public charging stations in Australia. When you are searching for a nearby charging station look for either the plug type or charging speed, this will help you find the fastest charging station available.

*Estimated driving range for a Tesla Model Y is up to 455km. We suggest planning for 430km on a 100% charge; or 300kms on an 80% charge. Driving distance will vary depending on weather and road conditions. Extreme hot or cold weather will reduce driving range. Large hills will reduce driving range. You’ll also find that city driving uses less energy than highway driving, as there is more frequent need to use regenerative braking when driving in the city.

Your EV’s charging requirements

   It’s important you understand which charge plug your EV takes, so you know exactly which charging station to use when you pull up. At Avis, we have Tesla Model Ys, these use either a Type 2 or a CCS2 Plug. You will find the Tesla to be compatible with most charging stations in Australia.

Arriving and parking etiquette

   Wondering what to do when you arrive at an EV charging station? The etiquette is the same as it is at a regular petrol station. Here are a few do’s and don'ts:

• Don’t skip the queue. Always wait your turn if someone is ahead of you.
• Don’t block other cars from being able to move about while you’re waiting for your turn.
• Do make sure you leave enough space for other vehicles to wait in line or charge at the same time.
• Don’t unplug anyone else’s car, even if you think it’s finished charging.
• Do stay patient. Be prepared that you may need to wait.
• Do familiarise yourself with your vehicle’s charging requirements before you arrive.
• Don’t charge to over 80% if the charging station is busy.

Charging your EV

Finding a charging station

   There are free and paid charging stations throughout Australia. If you’re driving long distances or over several days, it’s a good idea to plan your charging stops before you set off. You can find most charging stations on Apple Maps or Google Maps.

How to charge your EV

   Charging your EV is easier than you think. Here’s how:

1. Open the charge port

First, make sure your car is off, unlocked and in park. Open the charge port using the touch screen. Select Controls > Charging > Open Charge Port. You’ll find the charge port on the passenger side at the rear of the car.

2. Connect the charging plug

Avis’ Tesla Model Ys use a Type 2 or CCS2 plug, which are available at most charging stations.

Once you have plugged the plug into the charging port, if you are charging at a Tesla Destination or Supercharger your car should start charging automatically. If you are using a charging station from another provider, you may need to use the relevant mobile app to initiate the charging session. Sometimes you may need to initiate charging on the Tesla screen itself.

3. Finish charging

You can stop charging by selecting Stop Charging > Unlock Charge Port on the touch screen. Make sure the Tesla logo on the left-hand side of the vehicle charging port has turned white before removing the charger.

How to charge your EV

   It takes between 5–8 hours to charge your battery from 10% to 80% on a Level 2 charger. A Level 3 charger will take between 1 to 1.5 hours, and a Level 4 charger can take as little as 15 to 40 minutes.

How much should I charge my EV?

   Keep an eye on your charging progress once you’ve plugged in your car. We recommend only charging your car up to 80%, unless you are driving long distances and really need more power. That’s because the charge speed slows down significantly between 80% and 100%, and you could leave others waiting awhile for their turn, Particularly, if the charging station is busy.

When are idle fees charged?

   Sometimes if the station is busy the charging provider may cap your charging session at 80% due to demand. You can generally override this if you are sitting in the car and see the message appear onscreen. But if you don’t override the cap, your car will not continue to charge and you may be charged idle fees by the charging provider. You may also be charged idle fees if you leave the car on charge after it reaches 100%.

Check out our completing guide to operating Tesla Model Ys

Ready to go electric?

   Renting an EV with Avis Australia is about more than getting from point A to point B; it’s about experiencing the future of driving today. Our electric fleet, including the sophisticated Tesla Model Y, gives you the chance to enjoy cutting-edge vehicle technology and a truly exhilarating and memorable driving experience.

The Tesla Model Y delivers quick, seamless acceleration from the moment you put your foot to the pedal. Packed with advanced features and excellent boot capacity, the mid-size, rear-wheel-drive SUV is the perfect fit for wherever it is you're going. Book your Tesla Model Y online now. 

If you have any questions, check out our FAQs on renting an EV.