7 Things You Should Know If You Drive an EV

Nov 03, 2023

If you're a new EV owner or are thinking of switching to electric, make sure to follow these points for the best experience.

Electric vehicles are starting to take flight, with more EVs on the road than ever before. But with this onslaught of electric vehicles come new considerations that EV drivers must keep in mind.

Things like charging station etiquette, as well as safety precautions while charging your EV, are vital for having a positive EV experience. Here's what you need to know.

Charging networks with lightning-fast charging capabilities are becoming a reality, but it's important to know certain things when visiting a charging station.

Charging station etiquette is something that will become a greater issue once more EVs hit the market. Currently, even though EVs don't make up the majority of cars on the road, it's still essential to have consideration for other EV owners at the charging station.

If your vehicle is no longer charging, don't leave it plugged. Charging stations are not permanent parking spaces. If you're out shopping, and your EV is finished recharging, the most considerate thing to do is move your car from the charging space and park it in a regular parking spot.

This will ensure that other EV drivers will be able to enjoy the same charging benefits you just did. It's why idle fees exist (and why you should verify if the EV charger you're using has a time limit.)

If you're charging your vehicle at a public charger, make sure to put the charging connector back in its correct holder. It's the courteous thing to do, but it could also potentially be dangerous to simply leave it hanging or on the ground.

If an unaware driver runs over the connector while parking, they can potentially damage the connector. This is obviously a major annoyance that can easily be avoided by not leaving the connector dangling.

People have had many years to develop proper gas station etiquette, and charging station etiquette isn't that different. If you don't go to a gas station and leave the pump dangling on the ground, there's no reason to do this at a charging station.

If you're about to use a public charger, make sure you inspect the unit for any visible damage before hooking up your vehicle. Check the entire unit and make sure there aren't any "out of order" signs posted on the charger. If you notice any visible damage on the charger, don't touch it and report it immediately.

It's also important to check that the actual connector that you'll be plugging into your vehicle's charging port isn't damaged. If the connector looks damaged, don't plug it into your vehicle's port; it might cause issues.

EV drivers might become desensitized to the fact that they drive a quiet vehicle. The trouble is, pedestrians instinctively listen for engine noise, but electric vehicles don't emit any. The sounds coming from an EV are mostly tire noise and electric motor whine, and these aren't things pedestrians are instinctively on the lookout for.

This is why electric vehicles are required by law in most countries to emit a sound when traveling at low speeds; yet sometimes even this audible warning may not be something people associate with an incoming car.

Be conscious of the fact that people walking around might be oblivious to your approaching EV and alert them of your presence if necessary.

EV range has improved drastically through the years, and many EVs with great range offer upwards of 300 miles of driving capabilities. This means that range anxiety shouldn't overwhelm you, but it's necessary to be aware of the location of the nearest charging station at all times.

This is especially true if you're driving somewhere far in the middle of winter. Imagine driving through a snowy road in the middle of nowhere in your EV, with your heater at full blast—range will deplete quicker than normal. You can't turn the heater off to save range because it's insanely cold out, but the nearest charging station is nowhere to be found. This might sound scary, but it's a scenario that's completely avoidable.

This is why it's important to know where the nearest DC fast charging stations are at all times, and plan your routes with these locations in mind.

Charging an EV will most likely take longer than a normal stop at the gas station. This is why trips to the charging station should be planned thoroughly, and you should make sure that you have extra time to wait for other users to finish charging their vehicles.

It's possible that all charging ports will be occupied, so make sure you plan accordingly. If you're in a huge hurry, the entire process might turn out to be a miserable experience, especially if there's a long line. Using an EV charging network app to check whether charging stalls are free is recommended; some also allow you to announce to other EV owners in the area that you intend to charge there too.

If your EV falls victim to a flat tire or any other roadside malady, you might need to call a tow truck. The thing is, you can't just hook up your EV to any tow truck.

Tow trucks that pull your vehicle while two of the wheels are still rolling on the ground may damage your EV; some EVs will refuse to shift into neutral when they encounter a problem (usually when their battery is completely depleted.)

This is why it's imperative that you let the towing company know that they need to send a flatbed tow truck. With this style of tow truck, the EV's wheels will never come into contact with the ground. Make sure to also let them know if your vehicle's transmission is stuck in the park position, which will make the job of getting the vehicle onto a flatbed considerably more difficult.

Whether you're a new electric vehicle owner or a seasoned veteran, it's important to keep in mind that EV ownership carries some differences compared to regular car ownership. Being aware of these differences is vital to a safe EV ownership experience.

Alex is a Computer Science graduate with an intense passion for anything automotive. He's been writing about cars for the better part of 10 years, and is currently a writer for the Electric Vehicles section at MUO. Whether it's keeping up to date with the latest car news, or test-driving a new EV, Alex is always working relentlessly to stay on top of the latest trends in the auto industry.