B.C. drivers bicker at EV charging stations

B.C. Hydro says there are too many conflicts happening at EV charging stations and blame the problem on a lack of charging-station etiquette.

B.C. Hydro is concerned about the number of car-fuffles breaking out at electric vehicle charging stations.

A B.C. Hydro report found almost a quarter of EV drivers surveyed have bickered with a fellow EV driver at a public charging station, and almost one-third have witnessed such an argument.

Authorities believe the reason for the number of arguments is the lack of awareness of proper EV charging etiquette.

For example, the survey found that more than 30 per cent of EV owners have had another EV driver unplug, or attempt to unplug their vehicle while it was charging at a public station.

Twenty-four per cent have experienced “extreme frustration” when other EV drivers use a public charger to fully charge their vehicle.

The survey also found the majority of EV drivers will go out of their way to take advantage of public charging, says B.C. Hydro. Half said they make changes to their daily schedule or routine for better access to a public charger.

Installing a Level 2 charger for an electric vehicle at home can range between $700 and $2,000, according to B.C. Hydro.

Electricity costs vary depending on the size of the EV battery and the amount a person drives.

Charging a Nissan Leaf, for example, at home is estimated to cost an extra $35 a month, based on travelling 20,000 kilometres a year, according to B.C. Hydro. Driving a similar model in a gas-powered vehicle would cost $170 a month in fuel.

The survey also included drivers of gas-powered vehicles, and found that 30 per cent feel it is unfair that charging stations are located in the most desirable parking spots. However, 42 per cent of EV owners think more priority should be given to parking stalls with chargers.

Charging at home means EV drivers can avoid the potential for conflict at public chargers. EV drivers are encouraged to charge at home to avoid problems.

B.C. Hydro says are more than 1,700 public charging stations available across the province, including BC Hydro’s network of fast chargers that it continues to expand.

When using these chargers, BC Hydro recommends EV drivers follow basic charging etiquette, including:

• Take only what is needed. Limit charging to a maximum of around 30 to 40 minutes.

• Be careful where you park. Avoid parking at an EV charging stall if not charging, or waiting to charge.

• Use the PlugShare app to keep others informed: leave a comment on PlugShare if there is a problem with a station, or to let other drivers when to expect the charger will be available.

Do not unplug others unless there is a note on the vehicle or on PlugShare giving permission to do so.

The online survey of 1,162 drivers in B.C. was conducted by Majid Khoury for B.C. Hydro from July 29 to Aug. 5. No margin of error was provided.

Charging misconceptions slowing electric-battery car adoption in BC: survey

A new survey by BC Hydro on electric-battery vehicle charging habits and conceptions suggests more educational awareness is required over the real practicalities of charging.

According to the electric utility’s findings, 69% of conventional-fuel vehicle owners are concerned about the availability of public charging as the main reason that they are hesitant to switch to an electric-battery vehicle.

But this counters with the survey’s finding that 60% of electric-battery vehicle owners are charging most often at home or at work, and only 10% charging at a public charging station daily, with about half using a public station less than four times a month.

This suggests non-electric-battery vehicle owners’ longstanding fuelling habits at gas stations may lead them to think public charging stations are often necessary.

Furthermore, 24% of non-electric-battery vehicle owners are hesitant to make the switch because of the increase in electricity use from charging at home.

However, the fuelling costs of an electric-battery vehicle are far lower than a gas-powered vehicle; for instance, charging a Nissan Leaf at home daily costs an estimated $20 per month, while a Honda Civic’s gas costs are about $170 per month on average.

“Despite high EV adoption numbers, misconceptions about electric-battery vehicles still exist amongst British Columbians, and some of the most common are around charging,” reads the report.

“With fuelling a vehicle at a gas station being second nature for many having built the habit since they first began driving, the process and requirements for charging an EV are unfamiliar.”

BC Hydro is also encouraging more municipalities to adopt building regulations that require vehicle parking stalls to be equipped or at least fully ready for charging infrastructure. About a quarter of electric-battery vehicle drivers said they have not installed a Level 2 charger in their condominium, apartment, or townhouse because there is no place for installation.

The electric utility says significant provincial rebates exist for the purchase of Level 2 chargers for single-family homes, condominiums, apartments, and office buildings. Level 2 chargers can provide a full charge in about six to eight hours.

Although there are some misconceptions, BC still has one of the highest rates of electric-battery vehicle adoption in the country. Currently, there are about 26,000 electric-battery vehicles in the province, and this figure is projected to rise to nearly 400,000 by 2030.

Last year, the provincial government passed the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act (ZEVA), which requires all new light-duty cars and trucks sold in the province to be clean energy vehicle models by 2040.