As public charging gets busier, a handful of shared etiquette norms have emerged among EV drivers to keep stations usable and stress-free for everyone.
Don't linger after you're done
Staying plugged in well past a full charge — or past your planned stopping point — blocks the spot for the next driver. Many networks now charge idle fees specifically to discourage this.
Don't 'ICE' a charging spot
Parking a non-EV in a charging-designated spot ('ICEing,' short for internal combustion engine) blocks access entirely and is broadly considered one of the most disruptive charging etiquette violations.
Charge to what you need, not always to 100%
At a busy fast-charging location, charging only to 80% or to what you need for the next leg — rather than a full 100% — frees the spot faster for others waiting, especially during peak travel times.
Is it rude to unplug someone else's fully charged car?
Generally considered acceptable at busy public fast chargers if the car has clearly finished charging and other drivers are waiting — many stations now post explicit policies allowing this in high-demand periods.