[Steven Morehouse]

My first day as a Bolt owner and I'm already stuck. Lol.

The first charger was broken. The second was broken. Now I'm too low and the third is occupied. *If* they don't come back when finished, can I unplug them and plug myself in or is it locked?

Thanks

 

[drdiesel1]

I have unplugged cars that have stopped charging. I found the same car at the same location
on more than 4 occurrences and unplug it. I make sure and close the door and I even left a note the first time. I never bothered with the note after that.

Most shouldn't mind as long as you close the door, IMO!

 

[NewsCoulomb]

Truly, it depends on a number of factors. Is this a Level 2 AC or a DC fast charger? Is it free access or pay? If it's pay for use, you definitely shouldn't unplug unless the session has ended.

If it's DC, then you might not even be able to unplug if you wanted to. However, if it's DC, they should be there that long (ideally). I have had EV owners park at DCFC spots for more than two hours, which sucks, but there's not much to do about it.

With Level 2, if it's free and the person is done, you can definitely unplug. Just make sure you know what each car looks like when it is done charging.

 

[quirkySquirt]

In addition to NewsCoulomb's fine tips, some stations include a readout of how much power the car is pulling. If it's pulling less than 1 kW, I'd say the car is done and just "trickle" charging and most likely 99% full. If you're in need, I'd pull their plug at 99% and start charging my Bolt.

 

[Ampera e]

If it's pulling less than 1 kW, I'd say the car is done and just "trickle" charging and most likely 99% full.

Or cell balancing half way a cycle ?

 

[james1]

The ChargePoint brand charging stations here in my office parking deck bill at a rate of 85¢/hour for the first four hours, after which the rate jumps to $10/hour -- thereby incentivizing EV owners not to monopolize the machines.

I therefore very much appreciate it when someone unplugs my car once it is fully charged!

 

[NY-Rob]

Well Steven, you've learned a valuable lesson early on.... never depend on public charging!

 

[Packard V8]

"There will be blood!"

Early adapters are likely to be more thoughtful and conscientious. If/when the number of BEVs needing charging greatly outnumber the available stations, it's gonna get ugly.

jack vines, who saw it happen in line at the pumps in the SF Bay Area during the first gas crisis in 1970s.

 

[NY-Rob]

FWIW- Back in the day when I used to use a public charge station I tried to unplug a BMW i3 that had finished charging (I had the permission of the owner), well it seems that by default the i3 locks up the J1772 handle so you can't remove it even if it's finished charging.


I also unplugged a Volt that finished charging... the AH owner had enabled the "unplug alarm" feature which blasts the car horn (at full power) for about 60 sec or so... scared the krapp out of me

 

[hatchy]

I've been unplugged a couple of times and didn't mind, dont mind one bit. I've also been plugged in by somebody when they left.

"There will be blood!"

"There will be broken locking tabs!"

 

[SparkE]

I've also been plugged in by somebody when they left.

In my area, if you are parked at (near/next to) free charging stations and you leave your J1772 door open, it's sort of a hint that says "hey, please plug me in when you unplug your EV, if the cable reaches - thx!"

 

[California]

Why not stick a Post-It next to your charging port describing what you would like others to do?

 

[E Drivetrain Future]

I feel great having installed a nice level 2 charger in my garage just as the dealership announced our Bolt EV had arrived. I plan x-country trips and can drive from the bay area northern county to LA, Sand Diego or Vegas with relative ease using Bolt EV's DC fast charging capability. It's a cinch. Fun to see your Bolt's fast recharing progress on your smart phone as you eat a meal, stretch your legs, use the restroom, etc. I guess the rx you need is plugshare, google maps for peak hours of the charging stations, and more planning , procurement of equipment, adapters,

 

[Hugh]

My first day as a Bolt owner and I'm already stuck. Lol.

The first charger was broken. The second was broken. Now I'm too low and the third is occupied. *If* they don't come back when finished, can I unplug them and plug myself in or is it locked?

Thanks

I don't know but be aware that the Bolt has a setting for sounding the car alarm if the charger is unplugged without first unlocking the door. You'll need to be prepared in case the alarm sounds.

 

[GregBrew]

I don't know but be aware that the Bolt has a setting for sounding the car alarm if the charger is unplugged without first unlocking the door. You'll need to be prepared in case the alarm sounds.

IIRC, you can disable the alarm by locking the doors with the inside-the-door switch rather than the fob or outside handle button. The doors will be locked, but the theft-deterrent system is not be engaged.

 

[ballpark]

I don't know but be aware that the Bolt has a setting for sounding the car alarm if the charger is unplugged without first unlocking the door. You'll need to be prepared in case the alarm sounds.

This must not be the default setting as I always unplug, then unlock. Never had the alarm sound. And I always lock/unlock with the outside door handle button so I presume theft deterrent is enabled.

 

[Hugh]

IIRC, you can disable the alarm by locking the doors with the inside-the-door switch rather than the fob or outside handle button. The doors will be locked, but the theft-deterrent system is not be engaged.

Yes, but you can't (easily) disable someone else's alarm that way. You need the FOB or you need to be a thief...

 

[Hugh]

This must not be the default setting as I always unplug, then unlock. Never had the alarm sound. And I always lock/unlock with the outside door handle button so I presume theft deterrent is enabled.

Yes, not the default setting. I turned it on that first week when I was still using the L1 charger. I didn't want someone stealing my L1 charger. Now I have an L2 charger.

 

[Lin19687]

Well, you ALL better get used to unplugging .... Just watched a commercial that they have made a Plug in Hybrid MINIVAN.


Yup, you heard it right. All those mommy's who don't give a **** about what anyone (or their kids) are doing will be leaving their vans parked there and not charging.


I can see it now.
Yes, that is correct, I don't like MiniVans. I watch those mothers whip open their doors or their kids hitting the car next to them. park in spots NOT for them... oh I am just going to be a minute....

 

[raitchison]

Yup, you heard it right. All those mommy's who don't give a **** about what anyone (or their kids) are doing will be leaving their vans parked there and not charging.


I can see it now.
Yes, that is correct, I don't like MiniVans. I watch those mothers whip open their doors or their kids hitting the car next to them. park in spots NOT for them... oh I am just going to be a minute....

I think you are confusing minivans with SUVs/Crossovers. One of the (many) great things about minivans is the sliding rear doors, even in a tight parking spot there's no chance a careless little one will impact a neighboring vehicle.

We had minivans for years when our kids were little, we downgraded to a Forrester in 2015 because we couldn't justify the mileage hit with one son moved out and the other driving but there's not a week that goes by that we don't miss the amazing utility of one.

In fact if pretty much anyone besides Chrysler made a PHEV minivan the odds are VERY good it would replace the Forrester.