I hooked my car up to a level 2 charger at a local park. The app said the charge was complete around 2 am, which made sense. When I came back at 6:45 am, the charger was unplugged from my car and connected to a Ford pickup. Everything seemed fine at first, but when I checked my credit card statement, I saw that I was charged for 9 hours even though I only used 5. It seems like I paid for the Ford’s charge. It’s a small amount, but I’m wondering if this was even possible? And what’s the general rule for leaving your car plugged into a level 2 charger after charging is done? Thanks in advance.
You probably just got an idle fee for leaving the car plugged in. I’d suggest paying attention to the time and unplugging your car when it’s done charging. Some chargers have idle fees for every 15 minutes after charging is complete.
Your car’s infotainment system has a setting that locks the charging cable. You can choose options like locking it when the car is done charging, or locking it when the doors are locked. It’s odd the charger didn’t notice the switch between vehicles. It seems like the Ford shouldn’t have been able to use your account. Either way, try not to leave your car on a charger after it’s finished charging. It’s not cool, and other people might need it.
@Asa
I think the charger noticed the disconnect but only in the morning, so you ended up with an idle fee, not a charge for the Ford.
@Asa
That’s why I set my car to only lock the cable when charging is happening. I don’t mind if someone unplugs my car once it’s charged. It’s probably just idle fees for leaving your car there.
Neo said:
@Asa
That’s why I set my car to only lock the cable when charging is happening. I don’t mind if someone unplugs my car once it’s charged. It’s probably just idle fees for leaving your car there.
The problem is if it’s your own charging cable, they’re expensive, so letting someone disconnect it is risky.
@Vale
If you’re not in the US, you might not know, but in most places here, the level 2 chargers already have cables attached to them. They don’t require you to bring your own cable like they do in Europe.
@Macon
Oh, I get it now! I have my own cable in my car, so I keep it locked up, just to be safe. I guess it’s less likely for things to get stolen if the cable’s attached to the charger.
Vale said:
@Macon
Oh, I get it now! I have my own cable in my car, so I keep it locked up, just to be safe. I guess it’s less likely for things to get stolen if the cable’s attached to the charger.
That makes more sense. Maybe chargers should have a lockable cable system so it’s safer for everyone.
Some chargers do charge you extra if you leave your car plugged in after it’s fully charged. The one at my local Walmart adds an extra dollar every ten minutes after the charge is done, but there’s a 15-minute grace period.
Probably idle fees.
It sounds like the Ford driver unplugged your car after 9 hours. You didn’t pay for their charge. If the charger charges by the hour, you paid for the time your car was plugged in, not for the time it was charging. I usually leave a note on my car inviting anyone to unplug it if they need the charger after my car is done.
You left your car on a public charger for almost five hours after it finished charging? That’s pretty rude. I’d expect you to pay if it were me. Public chargers are for charging, not parking. If your charger port doesn’t lock, that’s a problem for everyone.
@Lux
This isn’t a fast charger, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to leave it plugged in overnight. The Ford driver did nothing wrong either. If someone else needs the charger, I’d expect them to unplug me if my car’s already charged.
@Wynn
If it’s public, you should unplug it. My car wouldn’t let you unplug it, so if someone else needed it, they’d be stuck.
Lux said:
@Wynn
If it’s public, you should unplug it. My car wouldn’t let you unplug it, so if someone else needed it, they’d be stuck.
I wasn’t saying no one needed the charger. I’m just saying that no one expects you to get up at 3 am and unplug your car. That’s ridiculous.
@Wynn
I’d wake up and unplug it. I’m not leaving it plugged in.
Lux said:
@Wynn
I’d wake up and unplug it. I’m not leaving it plugged in.
Well, I admire your dedication! I’ll just be the guy sleeping soundly while you unplug cars in the middle of the night.
@Wynn
I get it, you’re well-rested, but also the person who’d have to clean up after a rude driver who left their car there all night. Some chargers even charge an extra fee for leaving the car parked after it’s charged.
@Darby
I leave a note on my car inviting someone to unplug me when it’s done charging. I don’t expect anyone to wake up in the middle of the night for it!