Tuesday 12 December 2023: The NRMA is reminding electric vehicle (EV) drivers to be considerate when publicly charging their EVs this holiday season.
Thousands of EV owners will be hitting the roads for their Christmas road trip holiday and the NRMA is reminding drivers of EV charging etiquette. The calls come following reported longer wait times and improper use of chargers last year during the busy holiday season.
The NRMA is encouraging drivers to plan their charging stops before embarking. For those not traveling longer distances it is recommended to charge up to 80 per cent as the final 20 per cent of battery charge is slower. It is also important to leave home with a full charge.
NRMA CEO Energy Carly Irving-Dolan said it was critical that EV drivers charged and then moved on so that other drivers could access the charging bays.
“We are urging drivers not to use charging bays as parking and applying some basic charging etiquette these holidays so that people aren’t left waiting to charge,” Ms Irving-Dolan said.
"While charging an EV at busy public places or in shopping areas, drivers should keep an eye on the charging status so they can return to their vehicle when finished charging. If you do need to continue shopping, plan to move your car once you’ve finished parking to a new space.”
‘Camping’ in an EV charging space or staying beyond your vehicle being charged can result in a fine as it prevents other drivers from being able to use the chargers.
“While we want to remind drivers of the etiquette, we don’t want to see other drivers taking matters into their own hands during this busy and stressful season,” Ms Irving-Dolan said.
“Many charging apps allow you notify other drivers you are waiting in-line to charge, or centre management may be able to assist with an announcement if someone is camped at a charger in a shopping centre,” Ms Irving-Dolan said.
The NRMA has more than 100 chargers located across regional NSW and at regional borders, and is expanding across Australia through partnerships with both Federal and State Governments.
In order to charge at one of NRMA’s charging stations drivers need to download the My NRMA app.
Read more on EV charging etiquette.
