Electric Vehicle Courtesy Charging Protocol Placard Overview

The Electric Vehicle Courtesy Charging Protocol has been designed to allow the use of a single charger by multiple electric vehicles (EVs). Please use the enclosed placard when using a public charging station to indicate to other drivers the amount of charge you will need to reach your next destination. As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, we must be aware of other drivers' needs. Adherence to the charging protocol will help insure that all EV drivers can reach their next destination safely.

· When arriving at a public EV charger that is in use, determine if the vehicle present has reached the state of charge requested. If so, you may remove the connector and insert it into your vehicle. If the other driver has left a contact number, it may be a good idea to let them know. If you return before the other driver does, please reconnect that vehicle or any others waiting for a charge and within reach of the charger cable.

• If you arrive at a charger and the vehicle present has not reached the requested charge, please wait to remove the connector until the requested state of charge has been reached. This is the primary reason to request only a reasonable charge level.
• If no charge placard is displayed you may remove the connector after a 75% full charge level has been reached. Please be considerate and courteous. Do not remove the connector from the car at less than 75% charge unless there is a placard giving you permission to do so.

Electric vehicle ranges can vary widely between different makes and models, and charging needs differ among drivers. Newer vehicles with Nickel Metal Hydride or Lithium Ion batteries have ranges far in excess of Lead Acid battery equipped cars but will take longer to reach the same percentage state of charge. Always be realistic concerning the state of charge you are requesting -- e.g., a 10 mile trip will not require a 75% charge.

As an EV driver you know your vehicle and charging state best, and can select the length of time required to obtain sufficient charge to reach your next destination. No setting has been placed on the placard for full/complete. Most vehicles (especially with Lead Acid batteries) require a lengthy period to finish the charge cycle without significantly increasing the range. If you do need a full/complete charge, please make special arrangements.

Instructions for use:

· Display the EV Courtesy Charging Protocol Placard in a visible location.

· Always connect another vehicle to the charger upon your return, if there is a waiting vehicle with an accessible charge port within reach of the charger cable.

· Respect others - wait to connect your vehicle until the time requested by the other driver’s placard. If there is no placard, wait until you are reasonably sure that the other vehicle is at least 75% complete. Also, please request only the amount of charge you need to reach your next destination.

· If your vehicle has a locking charge port please leave it open so other drivers can insert the paddle upon return.

· For inductive chargers, insert the paddle briefly into the charger to "reset" it before inserting into another vehicle and make sure the charger reads “CHARGING”.

· Large paddle cars using small paddle chargers should always use a small-paddle adapter. If you remove a small paddle from a large-paddle car, leave the adapter in the charge port. Drivers of large-paddle cars waiting for a charge at a small-paddle charger should leave the small-paddle adapter in the charge port. Otherwise, the departing driver won’t be able to transfer the paddle to your car.

· Whenever possible, park in a fashion that permits other vehicles to access the charger.

· If you find a charger that is not functioning properly, call 1-888-890-GOEV (4638) -- leave a message if necessary.

· If you can, leave a contact number on the placard. A simple call will clear up most difficulties.

The proper and conscientious use of this placard will enable more vehicles to make use of the public charging infrastructure and increase everyone's enjoyment of their electric vehicle.

For additional copies of the placard, please send an email to placard@evchargernews.com. Additional information and news about charging locations and the adopt-a-charger program can be found at http://www.evchargernews.com.

What is the adopt-a-charger program? In order to maintain the best possible up to date information about status of public chargers, we are asking for volunteers to adopt a public charging location of their choice. Once adopted, the volunteer would regularly (monthly) visit the charging location and report on its status by filling out an “I was there” report (found at http://www.evchargernews.com). This report would typically include the following information:

• Is the charger working? If not,
• Has the property owner been notified?
• When is the estimated date for repair?
• Has the charger been removed? Are there new chargers installed at that location?
• Any best practices? (e.g., At some locations a parking attendant is able to move non EVs out of the EV parking.)
• Is the parking space marked as EV only? Report on incidents where non-EVs were parked in the EV only location.
• Charging protocol information visibly displayed on the charger?
• Ensure that any special directions (e.g., Where precisely in the large shopping mall parking complex is the charger located?) are correctly represented on the Web pages for EV drivers who may not be familiar with the area.

This information is particularly important for out-of-town visitors who would rely on finding a functioning charger at a location in order to complete their trip.