How long can I stay at a public charger?

It depends on the operator and type of charger. At fast chargers you are expected to move the car as soon as it is done or has enough charge. At AC chargers in residential or car-park areas, longer stays may be allowed. Check the signs and the app.

Do I have to pay if the car stays after it is finished?

Many operators charge a fee for staying after charging has finished, but terms and amounts vary. Check the app or the station for current rules, and expect them to change.

Can I unplug another car that is finished?

It is best not to. Contact the operator or wait. Touching someone else’s car or cable can cause conflict, and it is not always clear that the car is actually finished.

Should I charge to 100% at a fast charger?

Only if you need it. The last percentages are slow and block the bay. For many, 80% is enough to reach the next stop. Plan the trip with the route planner to see how much charge you actually need.

Charging etiquette in Norway: written and unwritten rules at public chargers

The golden rule: a charger is not a parking space

The most important rule rarely appears on the sign, but everyone who has stood in a charging queue knows it: when your car is done, you move it. Public chargers are a shared resource, and every minute a fully charged car blocks a bay is a minute someone else is waiting. The same goes for cars that are not charging at all – yes, we are talking about you, who “just popped into the bakery”.

Do I have to get back to the car quickly?

At fast chargers: yes, in practice. Fast charging is designed for stops of 15–40 minutes, not for dinner at the restaurant next door. Set an alarm on your phone or follow the charging app, and be back as the car nears 80%. The last percentages are slow, and many people drive on at 70–80% to save time and free the bay. By contrast, with regular AC charging in an evening car park at a residential block you can leave the car all night – that is expected there.

If you plan long trips, fast charging on long trips can help you find a rhythm that works for you and for the people behind you.

Does it cost extra if I stay too long?

Often, yes. Many charging operators have separate fees for cars that stay after charging has finished, sometimes called an “idle fee”, “parking fee”, or “blocking fee”. Amounts, time limits, and rules (for example whether it applies only when the station is busy) vary between operators and stations, and change over time. That means you must check the terms in the app or on the charger, not just rely on what a friend said.

In some places there is also ordinary parking fee or a time limit on the bay. Read the sign – and if you have an EV without a home charger, this is something you should have fully under control, since you use public chargers often.

Unwritten rules that keep the queue in a good mood

Charging etiquette is mostly common sense. Here is what most people agree on: Do not take a fast charger you do not need if a slower one is free. Do not charge to 100% at a busy fast charger unless you must. Park so the cable reaches without stretching across the next bay. Put the cable back neatly afterwards. Respect queue order – nobody likes someone who sneaks in front. And do not unplug someone else’s car, even if it looks finished. If you have a problem, contact the operator.

What do people actually do?

Reality is mixed. Most people are decent, but you still see finished cars sitting while their owner shops, and some who charge to 100% at packed stations. At the same time, charging apps have made it easier to see when the car is done, and notifications work quite well. Many also follow an informal “two-minute rule”: if a car is finished and the owner does not show up, people wait a little before contacting the operator. If you drive in winter, remember that cold makes charging slower – read EVs in winter before planning your stops.

Quick summary: your charging etiquette checklist

Check the terms in the app before you plug in. Set a reminder. Move the car when it is done, or at around 80% at busy fast chargers. Park correctly. Do not block a bay without charging. Assume you may be fined if you stay. And be nice – saying “thanks” to someone who moves is allowed. To work out what charging costs you, use the charging calculator.