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Public EV charging has become one of the biggest pressure points in the electric car world. While more stations are being built, the demand often outpaces supply, and free chargers are a particularly hot commodity. This leads to something EV owners know all too well: charging etiquette conflicts. It’s not just about waiting in line, because a lot of times it’s about fairness, access, and sometimes, people finding creative ways to exploit the system. One example came from a post in the “Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club” group on Facebook, where Michael Hodde, a Tesla Model 3 owner, explained how he had been watching one driver use a Nissan to take advantage of the last free public charger in his area.
Michael wrote: “I had a guy have his girlfriend park her Nissan at the last free public charging station while he was out in his EV. So when he was ready to charge in a few hours, he would have her move the gas car. I’ve noticed this pattern for months. I finally got to where I said you know what, I am going to park on the opposite side, extend out the charger, and make sure when he comes back he realizes that it’s not going to work anymore. When he arrived to find my car, he wasn’t happy so he stopped my charge as he couldn’t unlock it. I called ChargePoint’s 24/7 customer support and got them to kick the power back all from the comfort of my own home.”
This is a fascinating glimpse into the way public charging etiquette battles are starting to play out in real time. Michael’s patience had run out, and instead of simply venting, he decided to get clever with how he parked. He blocked the strategy that had been frustrating him for months. When the Nissan driver retaliated by stopping his charge, Michael leaned on the technology and customer support available through ChargePoint to restart remotely. It shows both the friction in EV adoption and how new solutions are quietly emerging.
Why Free Chargers Cause So Many Problems
Free public charging stations are rare, and when something is free, demand always skyrockets. EV owners who rely on them often have to contend with long waits, cars parked but not charging, or situations like Michael’s where someone blocks access. The underlying issue is that infrastructure is still catching up to ownership. As more people transition to EVs, free public EV charging stations seem to be creating more arguments than convenience. Many owners know the solution is stronger enforcement to ensure that only vehicles actively charging can occupy the spots, but until that happens, free Level 2 chargers remain a battleground.
It’s also worth noting that free stations are usually slower, which means cars can be tied up for hours. Compare that to faster public charging solutions, like Tesla Superchargers, where many owners calculate that spending money on charging a Tesla can still be cheaper than paying for gas in large SUVs. While free might sound great in theory, it often leads to frustration in reality.
Community Reactions
Stories like this naturally spark strong reactions, and Michael’s post was no different. Fellow EV owners chimed in with solutions and personal frustrations that many of us can relate to.
Stan suggested a more technical solution: “The only way to solve these kinds of problems is a system where you got to tap your credit card (or start charging session in app) in order to lower a bollard that’ll let you in the spot. And your need to ensure the bollard is up again after you’re done or it’ll keep billing you. The only way to change bad etiquette is when money gets involved. It could be a tiny amount, but it needs to add up.”
His idea reflects a truth we’ve seen in many parts of the EV landscape. Money does often motivate better behavior than rules alone. If every car had to pay a small fee just to occupy the space, blocking tactics like the one Michael witnessed would disappear overnight. Stan’s view highlights how EV charging spot abuse can only be fixed when incentives and penalties are tied to behavior.
Yvonne D’Ambrosio, on the other hand, focused on something many people see daily: “They need to have signs that say they can’t park if they aren’t charging. People park their gas cars in the EV charging spot all the time at my hospital for convenience. It sucks because I have to charge mine. If I don’t come way before 9, the charging spots are gone.”
This frustration shows how signage and enforcement can make a big difference. Gas cars parking in EV spots has been a problem since the earliest days of electrification, and while many cities are adding fines for “ICEing” chargers, the enforcement isn’t always consistent. Sometimes, even other EV drivers are part of the problem when they leave their cars plugged in longer than necessary.
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That’s where Murray Robert Campbell’s comment comes in: “Yes there should be somewhere this can be reported so the vehicle can be towed and the owner fined. This should also go to those inconsiderate ones that leave their EVs plugged in when they’re fully charged. If you’re going to do that then get a home charger.”
Murray hits a sensitive point in the EV world. For many, a home charging setup for electric cars is the single best solution because it avoids these public disputes altogether. But not everyone can install one, as apartment dwellers and renters often depend on public charging as their only option. His call for fines and towing shows just how fed up many owners are with the lack of accountability.
The Bigger Picture on EV Charging Etiquette
When you look at these stories side by side, it’s clear that the real issue isn’t just one Nissan or one Tesla. It’s a broader question of how EV culture is evolving as adoption grows. Right now, there’s a gap between the rules we need and the rules we have. Paid charging infrastructure is growing, but not fast enough. In the meantime, conflicts at free stations are a small example of what happens when electric car adoption grows faster than public charging infrastructure expansion.
The situation also shows how technology can help. Michael’s call to ChargePoint and the remote restart of his session demonstrate how companies are adding layers of support that most people don’t even know about. Just like many owners aren’t aware of the nuances of adjusting Tesla Model 3 home charging settings safely, they may also not realize how much power charging networks have behind the scenes to intervene.
Another overlooked point is how these debates connect to daily use. Many Tesla and Kia drivers have found that charging EVs overnight at home eliminates range anxiety altogether. This underscores the divide between those with private chargers and those who depend on public ones, where etiquette matters far more.
What strikes me the most is how quickly EV culture is developing its own set of unwritten rules. Ten years ago, hardly anyone outside of Tesla owners thought about charging etiquette. Now it’s a daily reality for anyone driving electric. I think stories like this remind us that EV ownership is about more than just cars, it’s about shared spaces, shared resources, and shared respect. If the industry and communities don’t address these issues head-on, frustration will build in ways that could slow adoption.
Key Takeaways for EV Owners
- Free chargers often create more problems than benefits because demand always outweighs supply.
- Small fees or credit card-based access systems may solve abuse by attaching a financial consequence to bad etiquette.
- Clearer signage and real enforcement are needed to prevent both gas cars and idle EVs from blocking spaces.
- Home charging is still the best long-term solution, though not possible for everyone.
- EV charging culture is still being written, and owners play a direct role in shaping it with their behavior.
Let’s Hear From You
Have you ever dealt with someone abusing a public charging station? If so, how did you handle it?
And do you think adding small fees to free charging stations would stop people from hogging spots? Or would it create new frustrations?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in our comments below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: The “Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club” public Facebook group and Tesla’s gallery, respectively.
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Source: torquenews.com
