EV Recharge Stations: What Drivers Wish They Knew Sooner

**EV Recharge Stations: What Drivers Wish They Knew Sooner**  

For many new EV owners, the learning curve for public charging can be steep. Here are the key insights experienced drivers wish they had known from day one:  

### **1. Not All Chargers Are Created Equal**  

- **Speed varies wildly:** A "fast charger" could mean anything from 50kW (30-60 min charge) to 350kW (10-20 min).  

- **Plug compatibility matters:** CCS (most non-Teslas), CHAdeMO (Nissan Leaf), and Tesla connectors aren’t always interchangeable.  

- **Lesson:** Always check power ratings and plug types before heading to a station.  

### **2. Charging Speeds Aren’t Linear**  

- EVs charge fastest at low battery levels (10-50%) and slow down dramatically after 80%.  

- **Pro tip:** For road trips, charge just enough to reach the next station (20-80% range) rather than waiting for a full charge.  

### **3. Payment Systems Are Still a Mess**  

- Some stations require apps, others accept credit cards, and a few still use RFID cards.  

- **Solution:** Carry multiple apps (Electrify America, ChargePoint, EVgo) and a contactless credit card as backup.  

### **4. Stations Aren’t Always Where You Need Them**  

- Highway rest stops? Usually well-equipped.  

- Rural areas? Often a charging desert.  

- **Workaround:** Use apps like **PlugShare** and **A Better Routeplanner (ABRP)** to map out charging stops in advance.  

### **5. Cold Weather Slows Everything Down**  

- Freezing temps can cut range by 30% and double charging times.  

- **Fix:** Precondition your battery while plugged in before driving to a fast charger.  

### **6. Broken Chargers Are (Still) Too Common**  

- About 1 in 5 public chargers may be out of service at any given time.  

- **Survival tactic:** Always have a backup station in mind.  

### **7. Charging Etiquette Exists**  

- Don’t hog a fast charger after reaching 80%.  

- Never unplug someone else’s car unless it’s fully charged.  

- **Golden rule:** Be courteous—EV charging is still a shared resource.  

### **Final Advice**  

- **Home charging is king**—if you can install a Level 2 charger, do it.  

- **Patience pays off:** The more you use public chargers, the more efficient you’ll become.  

Knowing these realities early can turn a frustrating experience into a smooth EV ownership journey.