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Charging Station Etiquette

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by JMalmsteen, Aug 28, 2017.

  1. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    If you use Plug share or any of the other plug locating apps, all kinds of locations are listed- mostly hotels and other car dealers. By my house in PA, the closest stations are BMW, Ford, Volvo and Nissan dealers, as well as Marriott hotels.

    We plugged in at a Marriott using their charge point station. I had every intention of paying for it, but it turned out to be free. I was not a hotel guest. And, shouldn't the station be left open for actual guests?

    I couldn't fathom going to a Nissan dealer or the like and asking to plug in. For us, we can use gas so it's not a big deal. But, what if you have a purely electric vehicle?!? The Toyota app lists locations without the type of business, just an address.

    I don't want to "steal"someone's electricity. It's a weird thing. What do you think?
     
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I'm finding dealer chargers are locked up after business hours. So park by the station and ask if it is OK to get a charge. Then be a mentsh and offer to show the staff your ride and talk with them. Heck, ask if they have any and at least show an interest. But in my case, I share and then mention getting lunch or breakfast nearby. Just don't be schmuck and insult their EV or plug-in. Remember to stick your head in and say 'Thank you!'

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Aug 28, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2017
  3. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    I think I need to be male to be a mensch...I need to brush up on my Yiddish, oy.
     
    jb in NE, Mark57, bisco and 3 others like this.
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Better?

    Bob Wilson
     
  5. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    Hah. For the literal meaning of that, you absolutely have to be male.

    Are you channeling my Nana?!? :)
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if there's no sign saying no, than yes. i agree that there are some strange locations on the maps.
    i haven't seen charging stations at marriott, are there a lot of them?
     
  7. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    The one we charged at for free was in Lancaster, PA. The Marriott by my house in NY charges .25/kwh, whatever that means (as far as, I don't know how much it would cost compared to the $1 worth of gas that will also get you 25 miles).
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    25 cents is way more than gas. i know, cause i pay 24 cents.:( it's about $1.50 for the same 25 miles.
     
  9. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    (I have this plug in car, and nowhere to plug it in at our house, since the previous owners of our house converted the garage to another living room-that we don't use. In PA, the garage has my vette and motorcycles and I won't leave the vette on the street, so that's that. I need to find an electrician to get an outside outlet)
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can run an extension cord in the meantime.
     
  11. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    The other location near my house in NY charges a set fee of $3 and then .29/kwh. At my job, the local charger is $2.57/hr and you need special permits to park there (the charger is at a nearby train station).
     
  12. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    I was thinking about that. In PA, my Challenger is next to the garage, I won't leave that on the street either. People drive like maniacs on the narrow streets. In NY, I'm worried about running a cord out of a window etc, as a security issue. So, it's public chargers at the moment.

    The Nissan dealer (all dealers, actually) listed in PA is closed on Sundays and the chargers were out in the open. I felt it would be like stealing to plug in at a place like that, maybe put money under the door? Who knows. And, I felt like we were completely trespassing. Something felt wrong about the whole situation.
     
    #12 JMalmsteen, Aug 28, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2017
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, i wouldn't charge at a dealer either. have you looked for charge points? we don't have anything convenient around here.
     
  14. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    The one at the Marriott in PA was Charge point. It's near (.6 miles) from Costco. There's a Hampton Inn that's even closer, .4 miles, both use charge point, but are free. I think that the stations should be for hotel guests though, so the whole thing was weird.

    We parked at the Marriott and went to Costco. I ran back (literally), got the car, and picked up my husband at Costco.

    Has anyone considered the health benefits of owning this car?
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    costco should have chargers, do not know what's holding them back.
     
  16. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    I suddenly think everywhere we go should have a charger! That never entered my mind before this.
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    indubitably.(y)
     
  18. bps

    bps Active Member

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    Same here!
     
  19. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Within a block of each charger should be:
    • grocery store
    • cleaners
    • bar and restaurant
    • pharmacy
    • another restaurant
    • fast food drive through
    • hair dresser and barber shop
    Bob Wilson
     
  20. CDog

    CDog New Member

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    Bulabusta is the female equivalent. It literally means "good homemaker".