By: Otaiba Ahsan

If you have the privilege of owning a Tesla, then you probably will or already have refuelled at a Supercharger. Having access to the vast network of chargers is an underrated part of the ownership experience, as it allows you to go on long drives with no worries. However, there are some unwritten rules that should be followed at these stations, that help make the experience better for everyone. Continue reading for Tesla Supercharging etiquette: the dos and don’ts.

Charging Etiquette

There are millions of Tesla’s on the road now. Additionally, most owners are new to the world of electric vehicles (EVs) and are typically coming from a gas-powered car. Naturally, Supercharging is an entirely new phenomenon to them, and they might not be aware of some of the unwritten rules. Here’s a list of some of the dos and don’ts when it comes to charging:

1) Do – Move Vehicle After It’s Charged

You’ll find that most Supercharging stalls are conveniently placed, in areas where drivers can get out and grab a bite to eat or do groceries. As a result, there are times when owners will leave their car at the stall, even after it has completed charging.

This is inconvenient for any other drivers who are waiting to charge. It’s best to keep track of how much time is remaining through the Tesla app and make sure to move your car once it’s done.

2) Don’t – Charge Directly Next to Someone

This rule is especially important at V2 Superchargers that are in pairs, like 3A and 3B for example. If there are other spots open, but someone is at the 1A stall and you decide to charge at 1B, this will slow charging speeds for both of you as the power is split between the two spots. Therefore, avoid this when possible to save everyone’s time.

NOTE: This isn’t an issue at V3 Superchargers. When you hit the charge icon on the Tesla maps screen, you can tap the three lightning bolts to see a list of V3 chargers, or two lightning bolts to see V2.

3) Do – Be Kind to Everyone and Respect the Businesses Around You

As mentioned, there are tons of first-time Tesla owners who are joining the community daily. They will inevitably make mistakes and not follow best practices at first. Instead of getting angry at them, be kind and offer some guidance.

Also, the businesses around the stalls help make the vast network of Superchargers a possibility, so be sure to respect them and the area. This could be as simple as throwing all your trash in the correct bins or visiting their stores to see their products and services.

4) Don’t – Charge Consistently to 100%

You may have heard that it takes the same amount of time to charge from 0-80% as it does from 80-100%. In large part, this is true and will not only cost you more money but also take another 30 or more minutes. In fact, Tesla designed the Supercharging network with the notion that most drivers will charge up to 80%, and then continue their journey until their next charging stop.

NOTE: Of course, if there are times when you need to charge to 100% at a Supercharger, then that’s perfectly fine. However, when you don’t need to, it’ll take up your time and prevent others from charging too.

The Bottom Line

That concludes the guide to Tesla Supercharging etiquette: the dos and don’ts. In short, it’s important to move your vehicle right away after it’s charged, and also be kind to everyone as well as to the space around you. Additionally, avoid charging directly next to others at V2 Superchargers as the two of you will get slower speeds, and don’t consistently refuel to 100% as it takes a lot of time.