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Would you or have you unplugged someone?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Rav, Feb 26, 2013.

  1. Rav

    Rav Member

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    I was reading Vince Burlapp's Car Page where he mentions his Volt was unplugged by another Volt that left a note to justify why they had to unplug him. Seems rude, especially since the Volt also uses gas. Personally, I would never unplug anyone else's car. This is the #1 reason why I didn't commit to all electric. So would you or have you unplugged someone?

    "even in the green world of electric cars, an a**hole is still an a**hole" - Vince Burlapp

    click & scroll down to see the note: Vince Burlapp Car Page: Chevrolet Volt Test Drive
     
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  2. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    If their charge is completed- and you need the charger- why not unplug them? I wouldn't mind if someone unplugged me once I recharged.
    I would never unplug someone during an active charge cycle.
    I've asked someone to plug me in when they're done charging... no problems there.
     
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  3. evebill8

    evebill8 Member

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    I think unplugging someone's car is rude, but occupying the plug even the car is fully charged is even ruder. Just my 2 cents.
     
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  4. Rav

    Rav Member

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    do all electric vehicles have some sort of signal to let the person unplugging it know that the car is fully charged? I know the PiP has the charging light that shuts off but don't know what other carmakers have.
     
  5. phvdriv3r

    phvdriv3r Defender of the Glass - Lemon-ed a 2012 PHV

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    Yes and Yes - If their car is NOT charging and just camping in the spot, I have no problem unplugging them. I had to do this last weekend to a Tesla S that decided to camp out at a charger with a CAR COVER over it. It had been plugged in for over 20 hours and was not pulling any power.

    Using plugshare app, you can actually send message to other guys that are plugged in and using the app. Most people do not mind the unplugging of their cars as long as you do it after they have finished charging... likewise, if others are waiting and you are finished, you should plug them in.
     
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  6. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Yes, but there is no standardization on what that indication is. In some, a light comes on to to indicate charge complete. In others (like the PiP), a light goes out. You just have to know how the particular model does it.
     
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  7. phvdriv3r

    phvdriv3r Defender of the Glass - Lemon-ed a 2012 PHV

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    And I do. We have every type of EV where I work, so I am very familiar with the indicator lights. Maybe I'll put together a PDF cheat sheet for this...
     
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  8. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Agree, but how do you start their charge?
    That exact scenario happened to me- a Leaf was charging, I asked the driver to plug me in when he was done- which he did- but just plugging in someone doesn't start the charge (at least it doesn't at the chargepoint station I use).
    To start a charge you must first authorize w/the chargepoint card, then plug-in then the charge starts.
    So he would have had to log-in with his chargepoint card, then plug me in- then the charge would start on my car. I don't think too many ppl would be inclined to to all this for a stranger.
     
  9. phvdriv3r

    phvdriv3r Defender of the Glass - Lemon-ed a 2012 PHV

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    If its a free station and not RFID managed (like Chargepoint or Blink), plug them in. If RFID managed, just start them with your card. If its a pay station, then its on the other user at that point... unfortunately there are still a lot of people that don't understand how it all works :p
     
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  10. RBooker

    RBooker Member

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    We have a level-2 charger at work. Common practice is to plug or unplug any other car (personal or employer) in an effort to help us reach our 'green commuting goals'.
     
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  11. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    At my work ChargePoint we all plug and unplug each other every day. At any other location I would unplug someone only if they were done charging and I know how to tell. On the ChargePoint, the display tells you how long the've been plugged in and the kw rate being drawn...or that it is ready for another user.

    If you have a ChargePoint RFID card you should know how all this works. Also, once you unplug, no current can flow again until you return the cable to the base then swipe your card again.

    Mike
     
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  12. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    I would be worried if I had to unplug someone to charge my car and they came back and was upset and damaged my car and left. I do not own a plugin, just saying.
     
  13. raimix

    raimix Member

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    i'm sure in near future more people will be unplugging others for their own benefit.
    have you ever walked into a store where you see photos of shop lifters? we might see those photos near public stations. would be funny :)
    if unplugging becomes problem, i'm sure charging stations will enforce some kind of safety measure against unplugging.

    I wouldn't mind if someone unplugs me if i'm done charging.
     
  14. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    I witnessed someone unplug a black CODA at the Macys that offers free charging...left the charge door open though and just left the plug on the ground. He mumbled something about "tree hugging hippies" amongst other things so I just plugged him back in to the dismay of my gf for touching someone elses car fearing they would think I unplugged him/her. This is in an area of San Diego that favors large trucks and SUV's
     
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  15. Southern Dad

    Southern Dad Active Member

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    In this little town of Monroe, GA we have one public charging station. For a long time after it was installed it sat idle, no one using it. Now, I often see a Leaf or a Volt charging at it. Since the PiP isn't sold in Georgia, yet I was shocked to see a PiP parked next to the spot with a gentleman removing the plug from the leaf, carefully closing the door and plugging in his vehicle.

    Maybe this could be handled by redesigning chargers to be able to handle multiple vehicles. When I had my GM EV-1, I used to park at the Athens Mall to charge. There were four chargers. I only ever saw one other EV-1 there in the two years that I had the car.
     
  16. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    Just for clarification, the Model S does not have any indicator on the car that it is finished charging if the car is locked. You would have to check the charging station's display.
    I have rarely used a charge station for our Teslas. And since we have so few charge stations that are free, I don't think I ever would unplug anyone else.
    I also prefer to charge overnight when there is excess capacity rather than during peak hours.
     
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  17. Electric Charge

    Electric Charge Active Member

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    Car makers need to get together to create a universal 'charged' signal, while also make it so the car beeps loud if you unplug the car while it is still charging. Heck, go one step further, and don't allow the car to release the J1772 plug until someone unlocks the car (or approves it remotely via an app).
     
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  18. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    A panic alarm when unplugged without being unlocked would work..similar to a door being opened
     
  19. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    Volt does this and it's insane
     
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  20. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    if I know for sure that someone's fully charged, I have no qualms about unplugging them
    otherwise, knowing i drive a pip which has a small EV range, a slow charger, and an extremely efficient gas engine once the battery runs out, i would have absolutely no grounds to unplug someone who's still charging.