What's the protocol for a public "simultaneous charger?"

[sfvR1S]

If there's an EV already utilizing the charger, do I charge on the other side, which means the other vehicle's charging output is cut by half, or do I wait so I don't cut into their charging output?

I would probably be a little annoyed if I expected my EV to be charged in 30 minutes and it wasn't because someone plugged into the other side. However, it's a public charger so one can't be upset because someone decided to charge their vehicle.

I've had a level 2 charger at home for almost 10 years and haven't had to utilize public charging stations, but I plan on taking my R1s for some longer trips, which means I'll need to utilize a public charger. Not sure what the accepted behavior is and I don't need unnecessary drama in my life.

Thanks in advance.

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[jjswan33]

First off I would note that a lot of stations with multiple cables only allow one to be used at a time, for example at EA don't bother it won't work. I had a guy kill my charge session one day trying to start another, that was super annoying.

On the other hand if power sharing is enabled I think the protocol is to try to avoid it, for example at a RAN station 1a, 1b, 1c share power and 2a, 2b, 2c share power so it makes sense for everyone to consider where you plug in but I don't think anyone should reasonably expect you to wait in a power sharing scenario.

 

[sfvR1S]

These are on the EVgo app. Looks as if they're meant to have dual charging capability, albeit at 50% of full output.

 

[VSG]

I wouldn't worry a bit about limiting someone else to 175kW.

 

[zefram47]

If it's the only plug available, just use it. If there are other's available that wouldn't be shared, use those first. For reference, the RAN stations are typically setup with up to 3 dispensers tied to 1x 300 kW power cabinet. So when you see 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, there are 2x 300 kW power cabinets for those 6 dispensers. You should prefer to plug in to a dispenser that doesn't share a number with someone else if the station is mostly empty. RAN will go down to 100 kW per dispenser if they are full. Given that the R1 will max out at 220 kW for only up to 15 min, it's unlikely to be a big deal if 2 vehicles are sharing, but things get pretty slow if 3 are sharing one power cabinet.

 

[Sevn86]

We all have places to be so I don’t see why you would need to wait at a public charging station if one was already charging. I respect you wanting to wait for them to finish but if that adds more time to the time I’m already losing by stopping to charge then I’d personally stop taking my EV on long trips.
Now if I pull up and I can avoid sharing and causing the other car to drop in KWH delivered by all means I would go to the open one not pulling from the same as the other car. I wouldn’t over think it.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

It depends on the charger/network. Not all split output. Check info in their apps. If not disabled, if you gotta charge and can’t wait, do it. Have right to it as anyone else. If you have time and would rather have full power, you have that choice as well, but know that someone else could arrive mid session and slow you down (might as well just go ahead and start charging at lower pace).

 

[sfvR1S]

Thanks for replies. As I mentioned, if it's meant to be split, can't be mad because someone wants to charge, but you never know who you'll run into these days.

Hopefully everyone shares this sentiment.

 

[SANZC02]

Not a lot of cars stay above 175 for very long so on a 350 shared station the impact to either session would probably be pretty small.

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