How The EV Driver/Rider Community Can Help Each Other Out

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How does the EV driver/rider community help each other out? Only going on my experience, below are some examples.

1. If one plug is decommissioned or broken (as has been the case with a few I have tried to use lately), and there are only two at the charging site, a driver can be polite and share if another EV driver is in greater need of a charge.

Example: If you do not urgently need to get somewhere, and someone does, or if they are acting inconvenienced — coupled with the fact that you have many other convenient choices and perhaps they do not — it is polite to share. The thing is, also, the charging station charges more slowly towards the end of the charging session, so if you are in that slower phase of charging, perhaps it is just as well to unplug. I have unplugged at a station (that was offering two charging ports but only one was working) for another driver. It was easy. I was not really in great need of a charge and knew I could easily charge soon and conveniently.

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009 (2) (1)2. Help out other EV riders or drivers (who might need a charge) by preventing non-EV automobiles from parking in an EV spot. Doable if, like me, sometimes you sit in your EV while it is charging. I once did this, and moments after, a large SUV EV drove in to charge. The new driver of the large SUV EV was happy for the only spot in the garage that was still open.

3. Offer to help new EV drivers figure out how to successfully charge. I have also done this at times when I was sitting in my EV and someone new to the world of EV driving was trying to decipher the station protocol. Similarly, I received help as well from a friendly Uber LEAF driver when I was just learning the ropes.

4. Share emotional support if it is needed. Some EV drivers are not so interested in sharing “community” — so, in this case, it’s best to respect a person’s need for privacy. Other EV drivers, however, love to acknowledge each other. I assume that this is a relief — to find another person who cares about breathable air, a livable climate, etc.

5. Many people (who don’t yet have EVs) are just glimmering that it is possible to put their resources into a clean-air electric vehicle. I consider these people as part of the community as well, even if they do not own, lease, or drive an EV yet. We can engage in explanations of the lifestyle afforded by EVs and the EV community. Help the interested person understand the many benefits of driving and living with an EV to encourage the person to transition to electric vehicles.

Related Stories:

EV Etiquette

Is Your Community EV Ready? NREL’s New Tool Can Score It For You


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Cynthia Shahan

Cynthia Shahan, started writing after previously doing research and publishing work on natural birth practices. Words can be used improperly depending on the culture you are in. (Several unrelated publications) She has a degree in Education, Anthropology, Creative Writing, and was tutored in Art as a young child thanks to her father the Doctor. Pronouns: She/Her

Cynthia Shahan has 947 posts and counting. See all posts by Cynthia Shahan