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PUblic charger étiquette

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by mikenancy1, Sep 5, 2013.

  1. mikenancy1

    mikenancy1 2012 PiP (Base), '10 Highlander Hybrid, '05 Prius

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    There is one public charging station near where I work. It's situated between two parking spaces dedicated to electric vehicles. If I arrive and find a car in the other space plugged into the charging station, but that car is fully charged, is it OK to unplug it and plug the nozzle into my car? That somehow seems presumptuous, but it makes no sense for the charger to be sitting there limp, while my car can use it!
     
  2. Nathen

    Nathen New Member

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    Yes just leave them a note that their car had charged fully and the time at which you unplugged it. (y)
     
  3. mikenancy1

    mikenancy1 2012 PiP (Base), '10 Highlander Hybrid, '05 Prius

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    Makes sense. is that how most folks handle it?
     
  4. 510bg

    510bg Member

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    How do you verify if the car plugged in is fully charged?
     
  5. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Make sure you learn the dashboard indicator light codes for each particular model you may unplug. Lack of standardization has caused some conflict among drivers of different models misunderstanding the indicators of the other cars.
     
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  6. evfinder

    evfinder Member

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    If you are in CA and now WA you should not unplug a car in an EV parking space since that could get the car towed
     
  7. 510bg

    510bg Member

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    Can you post a link?
     
  8. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Here in WA, it is a fine, not a tow. Here are the first few links I found:

    Washington Legislature approves fines for improper parking in electric vehicle space

    Washington State Approves $124 Fine for "Gassers" Parking at EV Charging Stations

    Washington Passes Law to Fine Motorists $124 for ICE Vehicles Parking in EV Only Spaces

    Park A Regular Car In Electric-Car Space? In WA, It'll Cost Ya: $124
     
  9. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yep.

    Facebook
    Facebook

    Someone copy and pasted EAACCC's content at My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - How to quickly glance connected car to see if charging done, if you don't have a Face...err... Crackbook account. :)

    But yes, be aware of any state laws regarding cars in charging spots that aren't charging.
     
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  10. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Here's what the California Vehicle Code (VC22511) says:

    Off-Street Parking: Electric Vehicles

    22511. (a)A local authority, by ordinance or resolution, and a person in lawful possession of an offstreet parking facility may designate stalls or spaces in an offstreet parking facility owned or operated by that local authority or person for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes.
    (b) If posted in accordance with subdivision (d) or (e), the owner or person in lawful possession of a privately owned or operated offstreet parking facility, after notifying the police or sheriff’s department, may cause the removal of a vehicle from a stall or space designated pursuant to subdivision (a) in the facility to the nearest public garage if the vehicle is not connected for electric charging purposes.
    (c) If posted in accordance with subdivision (d), the local authority owning or operating an offstreet parking facility, after notifying the police or sheriff’s department, may cause the removal of a vehicle from a stall or space designated pursuant to subdivision (a) in the facility to the nearest garage, as defined in Section 340, that is owned, leased, or approved for use by a public agency if the vehicle is not connected for electric charging purposes.
    (d) The posting required for an offstreet parking facility owned or operated either privately or by a local authority shall consist of a sign not less than 17 by 22 inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height that clearly and conspicuously states the following: "Unauthorized vehicles not connected for electric charging purposes will be towed away at owner’s expense. Towed vehicles may be reclaimed at
    ___________________________________________________ or by telephoning
    (Address)
    ____________________________________________________________________."
    (Telephone number of local law enforcement agency)

    The sign shall be posted in either of the following locations:
    (1) Immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the stall or space.
    (2) In a conspicuous place at each entrance to the offstreet parking facility.
    (e) If the parking facility is privately owned and public parking is prohibited by the posting of a sign meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 22658, the requirements of subdivision (b) may be met by the posting of a sign immediately adjacent to, and visible from, each stall or space indicating that a vehicle not meeting the requirements of subdivision (a) will be removed at the owner’s expense and containing the telephone number of the local traffic law enforcement agency.
    (f) This section does not interfere with existing law governing the ability of local authorities to adopt ordinances related to parking programs within their jurisdiction, such as programs that provide free parking in metered areas or municipal garages for electric vehicles.
    Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 274, Stats. 2011. Effective January 1, 2012.
    Of course, the legislators threw the baby out with the bath water in trying to get drivers of ICE vehicles to quit parking in spots reserved for plug-in hybrids and full EVs. :rolleyes:
     
  11. bilofsky

    bilofsky Privolting Member

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    Unplug a Volt and you may set off its alarm.
     
  12. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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  13. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    This should be moved to the TOP, and printed by all who use public chargers.

    Charging indicators on various OEM Battery and Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

    BMW ActiveE Blue light on bottom of center rear view mirror is not illuminated when charging is complete
    A blinking blue light indicates charging is in progress.

    Chevy Volt Short flashing green light on top of dashboard when charging is complete
    A solid green light indicates charging is in progress. A long flashing light indicates delayed charging, which should never be used in a public charging spot when others may be waiting.

    Coda The charging indicator light on the instrument cluster will illuminate and the high voltage battery state of charge level gauge will begin to rise.

    Fisker Karma The charge level indicator on the instrument cluster will reach maximum and the charge indicator will turn off when charging is complete.
    While the vehicle is charging, the charging indicator light on the instrument cluster will be illuminated and the battery charge level indicator will display the current charge level.

    Ford CMAX Energi Blue ring around charge port/plug is not illuminated when charging is complete
    The blue ring lights up in four blue quartered segments while charging and will shut off when charging is complete.

    Ford Focus Electric Blue ring around charge port/plug is not illuminated when complete
    The blue ring lights up in four blue quartered segments while charging and will shut off when charging is complete.

    Honda Fit EV There is one green led inside the chargeport door that is solid green when charging and off when not charging.

    Mitsubishi i-MiEV Red electric plug symbol on dashboard is not lit when charging is complete
    Look through car windows at the dashboard to see if there is a red electric plug symbol lit. If it is lit then it is still charging. If it is off then it is not charging.

    Nissan Leaf All three blue lights on top of dashboard are all on or are all off when charging is complete.
    Decoding Leaf's triple light set:
    One flashing light 0-33%
    One solid, one flashing - 33% to 66%
    Two solid, one flashing - 66% to 100%
    Three solid - 100%
    All lights off - 100%

    Tesla Roadster Solid green lighting around inside of charge port when charging is complete.
    While charging is in progress, the lighting inside the charge port area flashes amber.

    Tesla Model S The light around the charge port stops pulsing and the light turns solid green when charging is complete.
    Good news: When you plug in the charging cable, a light around the charge port pulses green during charging. When charging is complete, the light around the charge port stops pulsing and the light turns solid green.

    Bad news: If the Model S is locked during charging, the charge port light does not illuminate but the vehicle continues to charge.
    Toyota Plug-in Prius
    The amber electric plug icon next to the charging port is not illuminated.

    Toyota RAV4 EV Both amber lights (at the bottom of the back side window above the charge port on the driver's side of the car) will be solid when charging is complete.
    There are two amber lights at the bottom of the back side window above the charge port on the driver's side of the car. When charging from less than half a charge, the left light will blink and the right one will be off. Once past half charge, the left light will be solid and the right one will blink. Once fully charged, both amber lights will be solid.

    Toyota Prius Plug-In An illuminated plug icon inside the chargeport door will be displayed while charging.