Charging ettiquette - Unplugging another car

[CarbonTax]

I did this once myself...I left a note...and the people called me and told me they appreciated the note and had no issues and we've become friends since...

I'm guessing they weren't Musk-eteer fanboys

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[Bill33525]

Better bring a list of cars that CAN'T be disconnected after charging.
I'll start:
Porsche (incl. hybrids)
Audi (incl. hybrids)
BMW (incl. hybrids)
Mercedes (incl. hybrids)
Jaguar iPace
VW ID3/4/5 (not sure about hybrids, probably too).
Skoda Enyac iV.
Honda E.
Nissan Leaf (new models)
All Peugeot, Renault (except Twizy).
Tesla (*don't ever try to disconnect an adapter!)
...
Feel free to add to the list.

So what are the chances you'll get into a situation that you want to unplug a car that is not on the list?
Probably none.
So that's why this discussion is a bit of a waste of time and words imho.
I just don't want to mess with other people's property, like the way I don't like they mess with mine and I don't think there is much more to say about this.
At least for me.

*although the battery may be 100%, the AC is working, preheating/cooling is active etc.
You just can't tell.
If you disconnect the adapter it can create all sorts of errors/problems for the owner, maybe even switch off the charger...

My MY21 Audi etron has an option to release the charger connector when the car is finished charging.
If the vehicle allows the connector to be freely removed then taking the connector cable should be no problem as the car is finished with the charger.

 

[BMonte13]

This all reminds me of washer/dryers in public places apartments and moving other people’s clothes. IMO it’s rude to touch someone else’s clothes AND it’s rude to occupy a shared resource more than necessary. Don’t leave your car charging after 85% or 100% (to each his own), especially in a busy area/at busy times, and don’t touch other people’s stuff without permission. Simple answers my Taycan friends.

 

[Dee]

My MY21 Audi etron has an option to release the charger connector when the car is finished charging.

Actually, that's not a bad idea at all.
On the other hand, if the car is attached to a charger the chances of the car being stolen is a bit lower imho.

 

[tomdfw1]

My MY21 Audi etron has an option to release the charger connector when the car is finished charging.
If the vehicle allows the connector to be freely removed then taking the connector cable should be no problem as the car is finished with the charger.

If you read my original post - I just stated I had two just yesterday. Ford MachE and another car I can't recall. And I saw 6 MachEs at the 3 stations I was at. I am not trying to make a point of who does and who doesn't, the permise of the question is when is it appropriate or not.

 

[JDNEPA]

I'd argue never appropriate and don't touch another person's car. This is up there with home owners associations and people feeling justified in pushing their POV on others - also why I will never live in a neighborhood where I allow that be imposed on me.

I'll be courteous and thoughtful to open up charger access, and not leave a charger occupied for long, but as soon as you have people justifying their own self-importance and justifying their rational, its s slippery slope. You may have good reasons but the next person's reasons may be less solid and where do you draw the line? It's all open for interpretation. Who cares if you are okay with it? If I'm not then you're opening up yourself for a situation that could get out of control should the owner come back to their car while you're there. To boot, when you mention charging 80-90%, the port is locked and it does open someone to be trying to force the charge port to release it - not all EVs work the same that way. It's just asking for trouble. Bottom line - don't touch someone else's sh#t or risk the consequences.

 

[4thPcar]

if it hasn't been said by others that responded, I'd ask "how would you feel to come back from an errand to see someone unplugged YOUR car?" Better yet, let's say the car you unplugged was a 2 yo Nissan Leaf and they come back to find a new Taycan "stole" their charge cable?

 

[bsclywilly]

If I had a machE, I’d be fine if any of you fine people on this forum unplugged me. But not anyone else!

 

[tomdfw1]

I think the person who feels entitled is the one who posted this:

Really? I contemplated it and stated it was wrong. I only mentioned it to get a far wide perspective and see who would actually do it. And I am a Porschefile, so I am bundled in this group, in the event you took it personal and got your feelings hurt. Why turn this as a personal attack? Perhaps a more constructive response might be:
"Porsches are a higher value car and this may be the reason this board is different than Facebook." However, the Facebook Poll was placed on the Porsche Taycan Group with 25k members, so I don't know why this group is 75% No whereas Facebook is 75% Yes.

 

[tomdfw1]

I think the person who feels entitled is the one who posted this:

Curious people's thoughts on when it is appropriate to unplug a public charger from a car.
Is it acceptable to unplug someone's car from a charger if it is 100% charged...? 90%? Never?

I for one think it is acceptable to unplug the charger if the other car is 100% charged and they are nowhere to be seen. Then again, most/all EA stations have two chargers per pod and I think you can plug in the second one and it should work when the first is 100%? (Can anyone confirm?) (Porsche will not allow someone to unplug charger if doors are locked, but many cars will permit this)

However, for other charging stations where maybe only one charger per pod is used...would you unplug an unattended car fully charged?

A tempting scenario I ran into was an unattended car at 87% charge...and very slowly creeping up, requiring perhaps 20 minutes more to reach 100. I was at 10% battery and only needed a 5 minute (@270) charge to get home. I contemplated unplugging their unattended car and getting my quick charge in 5 minutes and plugging theirs back in...I ultimately did not do this because I believe it is not right...and the people did show up at about 95% and continued to 100%.

What would you do?!

The Facebook poll has 226 votes and 75% say it’s acceptable to unplug
22%say it’s not ok
4% said throw brick through window of full car and charge elsewhere

https://www.facebook.com/groups/taycanporsche/?multi_permalinks=1127735144484315

 

[gnop1950]

The Facebook poll has 226 votes and 75% say it’s acceptable to unplug
22%say it’s not ok
4% said throw brick through window of full car and charge elsewhere

I'm another no vote but then I don't use Facebook (I have an account I visit once a month or so to unfriend relatives ). Lets assume you unplug a car that doesn't prevent this, plug yours in and use the restroom (assuming you can actually get the plug to reach without moving the other car). The owner of the other car returns, sees that you've unplugged their car and decides to unplug your Taycan which he/she can't. Maybe they even see a scratch on their car that they didn't notice before. What are the odds they'd decide to get revenge and key your car on their way out?

I definitely wouldn't leave your car unattended for any period if you choose to do this. Of course this could lead to a different kind of confrontation when the owner returns.

 

[tomdfw1]

that’s it .

If you disconnect, how can you move the car facing the charger?

no more watch this thread. Have a good day all of you

All EA stations have two parking stalls per charger and both cars can use the same stall but only one will be enabled at a time.

 

[tomdfw1]

if it hasn't been said by others that responded, I'd ask "how would you feel to come back from an errand to see someone unplugged YOUR car?" Better yet, let's say the car you unplugged was a 2 yo Nissan Leaf and they come back to find a new Taycan "stole" their charge cable?

Myself and many others have stated we are more than happy to allow others to disconnect our cars if it is full. It is not like I am letting them drive it. They are merely taking a public resource that I no longer need. If you park your car at a public charge station, I accept it may be used by someone else. And I am not trying to impose my will or answer on anyone at all...the intent is to share opinions and rational in hopes there won't be an altercation when/if it happens. I respect people that say don't unplug their car even if I don't agree.

 

[tomdfw1]

I think this thread could've also benefited from a poll. I have no problem with an etiquette protocol where your car can get unplugged when charged. unfortunately, the technology isn't there to allow the taycan to be safely unplugged. I also have no idea what cars out there are ok with a live AC or DC plug being pulled out.

If the car supported courtesy unplug mode somehow (say with some user-configurable min charge level), I'd be fine to use it since my car would've been designed for such actions.

For now, I like the tag idea. I'd happily leave my phone# for someone to text me at if they require charging and my car has reached whatever % i'm after.

I believe all cars work the same way. Push a button to finish the charge and then retract the cable. It is universal for all EVs, I believe. This is a key reason why I am ok with it because everyone needing your cable has done it before. They all work the same.

 

[Snowbird]

All EA stations have two parking stalls per charger and both cars can use the same stall but only one will be enabled at a time.

Perhaps in your city. but where I charge ( north Miami ). 3 spots side by side .

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