Nissan Canada Share EV Etiquette Tips
Electrified vehicles promise to play a big role in Nissan’s future, and the automaker wants to make sure you’re prepared to handle the unique responsibilities that come with driving an electric car.
“The electrified driving experience is constantly evolving as technology develops, so the established rules of the road may not always lend themselves to electric car drivers’ habits,” says Nissan’s Zero Emission & Ecosystem Manager Brice Fabry. He further explained that as driving evolves, it’s critical that drivers practice safe, conscientious habits to make the road safe and accessible for everyone.
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Staying safe and socially conscious
Photo: Nissan
Here are some of the tips Nissan specifically wants to pass along to EV drivers.
Go digital
Join a forum or use an app to share information about local charging points. The Nissan Charge app is perfect for reviewing charging points and learning which nearby stations are the best.
Be considerate
Never unplug someone else’s vehicle from the charger without permission. Furthermore, don’t park in a public charging parking spot unless you intend to charge your vehicle.
A little note can go a long way
If you plan on leaving your vehicle at a public charging point for a while, jot down a note that explains how long you’ll be gone, or when you’ll return, and stick in on your vehicle’s windshield. Since another driver may need to use the charger, consider giving your fellow drivers permission to unplug your car after a certain amount of time. For example, your note could read, “I’ll return to my car at 5:30 p.m. If you need to use the charger, feel free to unplug it anytime after 3 p.m. Thanks!”
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Know your EV
If you don’t want a stranger unplugging your vehicle for you, consider changing spots after your car is done charging. First, you’ll need to know how long it takes your vehicle to charge. The 40kWh Nissan LEAF only takes 60 minutes to charge from 20 percent to 80 percent, so if possible, consider moving your vehicle to a regular parking spot to free up a charging station for someone who needs it.
Take charge when maintaining local charging points
When you’re taking your vehicle to a charging station, be delicate with the public charger. Don’t litter or damage the plug, as a damaged charger could put that particular charging station out of commission.
Kimiko Kidd is a native Daytonian. She graduated from Wright State University with degrees in environmental science and sociology. She loves her trusty old Honda Civic, but dreams of owning a 1974 Ford Falcon XB with a custom paint job and a vintage Kawasaki Z1000. In her free time, Kimiko can be found watercolor-painting, baking muffins, collecting rocks, playing old-school Nintendo games, writing her novel, sewing stuffed animals, and cosplaying as her favorite Mad Max characters. See more articles by Kimiko.