Ingineer said:
Unfortunately, I've ran into people at QC's charging to "full" when they really only need a little charge to make their destination. Twice at the Belmont QC, I've pulled in to find someone there charging to "Full" even though when queried, they didn't need all of it. One of them told me "I might as well get all I can get since I'm here". I tried to convince him that the charge rate tapers quite a bit toward the end, and unless he needed it, it's silly to wait. He either didn't believe me, or didn't care. (I waited another 35 minutes for him to leave)
If there is someone waiting on me to finish a QC, I stop after 15 minutes or if I've got enough to get where I'm going, whichever happens first. Hopefully people like those two at Belmont are rare aberrations and we get more people willing to share this precious resource.
-Phil
Wow, now I can understand why you're sensitive to the issue.
It reminded me of a funny story I ran into. I was at a QC and was probably at around 50% charged up, which was probably good enough to get me home. So another LEAF owner pulled up next to me and began plugging in to the other port next to mine. I told him that I probably had enough charge already so I'll go ahead to disconnect mine so he could have his turn, because I knew that even if he plugged in, he was going to have to wait until I was done with mine because you can't have 2 simultaneous port charging at the same time.
He abruptly dismissed me in a "know-it-all" manner and said why, there's no need because his port will charge on it own. I tried to explain to him that despite having 2 ports, the QC will only charge sequentially, and the second one won't begin charging until the first one is done. He ignored what I said and just walked away with the CHAdeMO connector plugged into his LEAF. And by the way, this QC is at a mall and there's a clear sign that says "Unattended vehicle while charging is subject to being towed". But he left his vehicle unattended and went to the mall anyway, even though he was supposed to stay with the vehicle. So I was like "OK, suit yourself."
Shortly after he was gone, I got out to stop mine, even though it was not done charging yet, because I had enough to get home anyway and didn't want to wait around any longer. I took a peak over his side and guess what? He never even logged into the screen with an RFID card (it still said "Hello"). Then I noticed that his CHAdeMO connector was not even locked in to his LEAF's QC port (the handle was not pulled up in the lock position). I got a chuckle out of it about how Mr. Know-It-All here doesn't even have a clue about QC'ing and thought that it was just like plugging in a J1772 connector at home without doing anything else.
I didn't feel sorry one bit for the guy and just left. I could have used my own RFID card to start his charging session and lock up his CHAdeMO connector so it would begin charging his car. But the fact that he left it unattended when he was not supposed to so he could spend time inside the mall was enough to clear my conscience to just walk away. I figured I should mind my own business anyway and let him learn a lesson the hard way about learning how to use the QC properly anyway.
My wife ran into a similar situation at a different time when she pulled up to the same DCFC and there was another LEAF there plugged in for 100% charge but the owner was gone inside the mall shopping. So she had to wait a while until the other side was done for her turn.
I think they need to change the "Unattended vehicle while charging will be towed" sign bigger and move it right up front in-your-face style so people will heed it. Or maybe they still won't anyway.