I hate when I pull up to this...

[Marchin_MTB]

I see this all the time at a free L2 charger in our town. Cables in a mess or left on the ground.

sadly, I think the only good solution is to have public L2s set up so that you have to bring your own cable (as is the case in Europe I think).

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[NY_Rob]

This is why Level 2 ought to be like the Europeans do and you bring your own cord. Would probably make maintenance easier too.

Yeah, that would solve a lot of problems for L2 chargers.

 

[Eeyore]

Or they could just make chargers like they do in Europe where you have to provide your own cable.

 

[COdogman]

A few weeks ago I charged at an EA station where 4 out of 6 chargers were laying in the snow. I would definitely have said something if I caught someone doing that. So selfish.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Or they could just make chargers like they do in Europe where you have to provide your own cable.

Not all of them are like that. Certainly not for DCFC.

 

[Killer95Stang]

At least those chargers are open. Here, people will park their car at the Kohls in morning when they arrive for work. Problem is, after they plug in, they walk a block to their actual work location and leave their cars plugged in taking up the spots all day. I've never actually been able try these chargers out, because the same cars block the spots 5 days a week.

Since I'm on a roll now.. buddy from work tells me his cheap ass brother does the same thing at the public library by my house, since they have free L2 charging.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

At least those chargers are open. Here, people will park their car at the Kohls in morning when they arrive for work. Problem is, after they plug in, they walk a block to their actual work location and leave their cars plugged in taking up the spots all day. I've never actually been able try these chargers out, because the same cars block the spots 5 days a week.

Since I'm on a roll now.. buddy from work tells me his cheap ass brother does the same thing at the public library by my house, since they have free L2 charging.

And this is why every network should charge high idle fees. Again, behaviors can't be modified when there are no consequences. Asking nicely doesn't sting. Have to hit them where it hurts.

 

[Eeyore]

Not all of them are like that. Certainly not for DCFC.

Yep. I forgot the say level 2.

 

[Deacon]

Goes beyond chargers, unfortunately the "me mentality" is stronger than ever. Sounds corny, but my kids remind me when I complain about other's actions, they say "be the change". I've stopped letting those kinds of folks get to me as sometimes I am guilty of the "me mentality" too. I just try to do what is right and try to be a positive example. Wonders what kids teach you these days.

You got good kids.

 

[JohnB R1T]

Here's an idea...
Many chargers have the ability to assess "idle fees"

A simple interface that detects the weight of the cord and the replacement of the charger into the receptacle on the stanchion is required to STOP the timer on the idle fees. A flashing warning light on the screen when in "idle" mode would warn the driver not to just unplug and drop the cord and/or plug onto the ground and drive away.

My Litter Robot automated cat litter box detects the weight of a cat, won't cycle when the cat is inside, and starts a timer to run a cycle a few minutes after the cat leaves. This is not complicated technology.

 

[Rickmc]

Here's an idea...
Many chargers have the ability to assess "idle fees"

A simple interface that detects the weight of the cord and the replacement of the charger into the receptacle on the stanchion is required to STOP the timer on the idle fees. A flashing warning light on the screen when in "idle" mode would warn the driver not to just unplug and drop the cord and/or plug onto the ground and drive away.

My Litter Robot automated cat litter box detects the weight of a cat, won't cycle when the cat is inside, and starts a timer to run a cycle a few minutes after the cat leaves. This is not complicated technology.

The chargers in my original post are free so that wouldn't work. It basically requires basic common sense. One commenter above said "Bad design, you'll never get someone to dirty their hands to coil it up". Well then they shouldn't partake in the free charging if they are too good to touch the cable. Their parents did a horrible job raising them to adulthood.

 

[Dark-Fx]

A few weeks ago I charged at an EA station where 4 out of 6 chargers were laying in the snow. I would definitely have said something if I caught someone doing that. So selfish.

Some people take the cables off the hanger if they couldn't get the stations to work. I have no idea where this behavior stems from and it's such a bad idea.

 

[COdogman]

Some people take the cables off the hanger if they couldn't get the stations to work. I have no idea where this behavior stems from and it's such a bad idea.

I had not considered that as a reason, but I agree that is weird. In fact I ended up using one of the chargers that had been left in the snow because the 2 that weren’t would not work for me. ??‍

 

[capitolm94]

I think some level of accountability has to be designed/built into the chargers... any charger. Like the plugs are locked to the charger until account verification takes place. This way if vandalism or misuse is reported, there is a way to trace back to account used to unlock just prior. And if the plug is not placed back to be locked again after charging is complete, there'd be penalty added to your session's cost.

Behaviors can't be modified if there are no consequences.

ChargePoint does this right? When I use free ChargePoints near me I still have to scan my card to activate.

 

[HaveBlue]

I've been pondering this for apartment buildings and how to make the infrastructure last, not get neglected or vandalized.

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