EV charging idle fees explained
Don’t be the EV driver that leaves their car plugged in racking up unnecessary fees at public charging stationsPicture this: You’re sipping your latte, your EV is fully charged, and life is good – until ding, your phone pings with a not-so-subtle reminder.
You’ve got 10 minutes to unplug your car or you’ll be forking out up to $1 per minute in idle fees.
Wait, what? Yep, idle fees are real, and they’re here to keep the electrified vehicle world spinning.
Let’s break it down
Some public charging stations – including Chargefox and Evie, among others – have a nifty little system in place to prevent you from hogging the charger. Once your car finishes charging, the countdown begins.
You’ll get a friendly heads-up via the provider’s app (make sure you have notifications on), giving you a 10 (or so) minute grace period to unplug and hit the road, or at least move out of the way.
If you don’t? Well, your coffee just got a lot more expensive.
How much!?
$1 per minute! That’s the going rate at some charging sites – particularly in busy locations – if you’re overstaying your welcome post-charge. Not exactly pocket change, especially if you were planning a cheeky nap or a long lunch.
It’s worth noting that $1/min is the highest rate most public stations will charge and, in some cases, it can be as little as $0.10 per minute after 20 minutes, or nothing at all!
Now, technically, no one's going to tow your car or set it on fire if you don’t move it immediately. But let’s be real, staying plugged in after you're done charging is like leaving your car in front of a petrol pump while you go shopping. Not cool.
Moving your car once it's done charging is just good EV etiquette. It helps avoid congestion, reduces wait times, and makes life a whole lot easier for the next person who’s running on empty (or… 3 per cent battery).
TL;DR
- Idle fees kick in once your car reaches full charge (sometimes that’s 85% so check your vehicle’s battery settings)
- You’ve got 10 minutes to unplug before the fee train leaves the station
- You’ll usually get a separate invoice for idle fees
- $1 per minute adds up fast… like, really fast
- Be a good charging-station citizen: move your car and keep the peace
So next time you're at a charger, enjoy your coffee – but maybe set a timer or keep an eye on your charging app. Your wallet (and your fellow EV drivers) will thank you.
Related: A guide to fast and slow EV charging options
Related: How long does it take to charge an electric car?
Related: Be nice! EV public charging etiquette outlined
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