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[trekguy]

What is the best method to use when charging publicly?  Say for example I was patronizing a coffee shop, resturant, large gas station/convienence store etc. Do I just help myself to the outlet, or ask first?

I only had to try it once; I plugged in, then asked the woman inside if I could charge up for a bit, and she said "sure honey, go right ahead".

[DesignerDan]

I never ask. I steal the free electricity when I'm desperate and don't feel bad not asking. But then again, I'm really selfish.

[Doug S]

That's an excellent question. I thought seriously about it last Sunday on a long ride...I rolled into a small town, bought some iced tea at a local mini-mart, and thought about searching around for an outdoor outlet. I didn't do it and I wish I had -- I wound up having to push my bike 100 yards or so to get home.

There's something to be said for the "it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission" philosophy. But I'm thinking that next time, I'll use the "don't tell them more than they need to know" approach. Before plugging in, walk in and say something to the effect of "Hey, my battery's weak, but I've got a charger with me. Do you mind if I plug in for a few minutes?" Don't lie, but also don't tell them it's an EV and you're asking for a bit more than a top-off of a starter battery. Plausible deniability rocks.

And DO NOT be hesitant to point out that you bought some shtuff from them! Fair's fair, after all. They're still going to make a profit off of you.

[protomech]

I've never had someone tell me "no" when asked.

I scout out the plugs first, so I can say "you have a plug here, would you mind if I plugged my motorcycle in?" instead of "do you have an exterior plug?" .. the answer to the latter is almost always "I have no idea".

However, I view it as a courtesy rather than a requirement. If no one is around to ask, I wouldn't have any qualms about plugging in for a short period at an outlet that wasn't obviously private.

[dkw12002]

I would never get myself in a situation where I needed to plug my bike in anywhere except home, in the first place, so it hasn't come up. So what would you do if they caught you hooked up to an outside outlet and said no you can't do that, or conversely if you asked and they said no?...or worst case, you tripped their circuit?  Dang you guys are brave to put yourselves in that situation. I guess the only way I would ever do that is if I stopped in before the trip, asked about an outlet from the owner and knew the outlet was always available and live. Even then I might be a little anxious about it. Are there any businesses that welcome electric bikes at the corporate level? Now that would be great if you could stop at McDonalds, Walmart, Starbucks, whatever and were always welcome to plug in. It would actually be a good business move. For 30 cents worth of electricity, Starbucks would make $4 in profit from your latte.

[krash7172]

I've only done it once so far. After I bought a bottle of water, I asked if I could use the outlet outside to charge my battery. They probably thought I meant cell phone. I got some odd looks when I plugged in but all was good. I figure that if you actually spend a few bucks somewhere and ask nicely you are in good etiquette. You shouldn't feel guilty anyway. They can always say no. If/when EVs become more the norm, I'm sure it will all change.

[benswing]

I always ask first and have never been denied (that I remember).  People aren't worried that an electric motorcycle will take much electricity.  Plus we are rare, so it's usually fun for hem to ask about it. 

Even with my electric car most places will just let you plug in.  I try to also, buying stuff helps them make he connection in he future that EV drivers will spend money if they can charge.

[trikester]

I usually ask and usually they don't hesitate to say OK. A couple of times when they are hesitant I mention that I'm only going to use a quarter or 50 cents worth. One time a waitress at a bar/cafe even brought an extension cord out from inside when we discovered the the outside outlet had been disconnected by construction. I gave her a good tip after downing a couple of beers and eating a burger.

The motel I stay in Big Pine CA always lets me plug in an outside outlet and doesn't care about the small cost. However, this last time I knew I was going to do some big rides on my e-trike and use a lot more power than I usually do over a weeks time. I told them that I would leave a couple of bucks to cover it but they were nonchalant about it, don't worry was their reply. As it turned out I spent $2.50 on some epoxy to repair the door latch to my room, that a previous guest had damaged. They offered to reimburse me the $2.50 and I said that's "in the ballpark" of the power I've used so lets call it even. They thanked me.

Trikester

[Mike Werner]

Here in France, there is a "label" that more and more shopkeepers are adhering to, that of "Charging Point". When one sees the label, it means you can plug in at any moment, and don't need to be a customer.

But... the label is really meant for electric bicycles, but I don't think they'll mind electric motorcycles. But ti's nice to see them getting organized in this fashion.

[KrazyEd]

I have yet to NEED the power, but, when I am out and about, I scan for outside sockets.
Living in Las Vegas, I am often at casinos. If I find an outlet, I plug in, and, leave a note
that states that I am inside spending my money at this establishment. During my stay
I will use a few pennies of their power. I have my cell number on the note. The note
then says that if there is a problem with being plugged in, please contact me, and,
I will take my money elsewhere. Prior to leaving the Note, I had my Volt unplugged
a couple times. Since the note, None of my electric vehicles have been disturbed.

[nigezero]

Mike can you send a photo of the sign? I have a similar idea here in Australia love to their work

[Mike Werner]

Mike can you send a photo of the sign? I have a similar idea here in Australia love to their work

here you go

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-1st-ev-electric-recharge-network-for-establishments.htm

[ctrlburn]

Nope, not me. EV's have gotten a bit of a moocher reputation I'm not yet ready to contribute to. We don't pay road tax, we have general tax breaks, our builders got got tax breaks, and though EV's benefits are more than superficial I still feel I am a long way from asking or charging uninvited. I've got access to free charging locations I have only considered using but still just plug in at home.   Then again I am just a commuter rider... more full time riders may have "earned back" their tax breaks in EV promotion elsewhere.

[Richard230]

I always ask if I can charge from a commercial business's outlet.  So far I have always received a negative reaction, the exception being at Alice's Restaurant, where (having been a regular customer of theirs for 40 years) they let me charge up from a dangling outlet box located on their building wall behind their rear yard fence.  This doesn't seem to make their adjacent gas station attendant very happy.

While I found one local county park that would let me charge at an unused group picnic area a couple of years ago, now I get a "no" answer.  I have tried at 5 different state parks and all of them either didn't have a usable 120V outlet or I was told that there was no written state park policy for allowing visitors to use electrical power and therefore permission could not be granted.  At a couple of other locations, the only power outlets were in areas posted for "official vehicle use only". 

Don't even bother trying to plug in at a gas station convenience store, the answer will always be "no".  I gather that EVs are not appreciated at these facilities.  And of course, now I am hearing more and more often that EV owners are not paying their fair share to use the public roads and need to be taxed in some way to pay for all of the damage that we are doing to the state's highways.   

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

I only once had a problem, when the staff of a fancy new parking garage unplugged my bike and left a note threatening to fine me for not paying for electricity. This was ludicrous, because they had J1772 charging stations and I clearly was just using wall power. Otherwise, I've had no problems in a year. My regular garage always lets me charge.