If you’re reading this, you’re likely one of the thousands of Australians who joined the electric revolution this year. Welcome to the club! As we roll into the peak of the December 2025 festive season, we’ve officially entered a new era of Australian road-tripping.

With EV sales hitting nearly 16% market share and over 100,000 new electric vehicles added to our roads in the last 12 months alone, the “Great Aussie Road Trip” has gone high-voltage. But with more cars comes more responsibility. Our charging network has grown by an impressive 22% this year, but even with 2,100+ units now tracked in real-time on the Charge@Large platform, the holiday rush is the ultimate stress test.

At EV Evolution, we’ve seen that the difference between a “dream getaway” and “charge rage” usually comes down to one thing: Etiquette. To keep the holiday vibes high and the wait times low, we’ve compiled the 2025 Summer Playbook—the unwritten rules of the road that every EV driver needs to know.

🛑 Rule #1: The “80% Ceiling” (The Golden Rule)

In 2025, charging to 100% at a public fast charger is the equivalent of “camping” at a busy petrol pump.

The Science: Lithium-ion batteries follow a “charging curve.” They drink power rapidly from 10% to 80%, but once they hit that 80% mark, the car’s internal computer throttles the speed to protect the battery from heat and degradation.

The Etiquette: It often takes as long to go from 80% to 100% as it does to go from 10% to 80%. Unless you absolutely need that extra 20% to reach a remote destination, unplug at 80%. By doing so, you’re potentially halving the wait time for the person behind you.

📝 Rule #2: The “Note-on-Windshield” & Contact Apps

One of the most heart-warming trends we’ve seen in the EV Evolution community this year is the rise of proactive communication. If a charging hub is full and you need to step away for a coffee or a restroom break, don’t leave people guessing.

• The Dashboard Note: A simple, polite note on your dash saying, “Hi! I’m charging to 80%. Should be back by 2:15 PM. My number is 04XX XXX XXX if there’s an emergency,” can instantly de-escalate “Charge Rage.”
• The “NeedToCharge” App: This has become the standard in late 2025. It allows other drivers to send you a polite, anonymous ping when they are waiting. It’s a digital “tap on the shoulder” that keeps the queue moving without the need for confrontation.

🔌 Rule #3: Match Your Speed (Don’t be a 350kW “Hog”)

In 2025, we have a mix of 50kW “Fast” chargers and 350kW “Ultra-Rapid” chargers. Not all cars are created equal.

If you drive an EV that caps out at 50kW or 70kW (like some older models or budget-friendly city cars), please avoid using the 350kW ultra-rapid bays if a 50kW bay is available. Plugging a “slow” charging car into a “super-fast” charger doesn’t make your car charge any faster, but it does prevent a high-performance EV (like a Porsche Taycan or Kia EV6) from using its full potential.

🚫 Rule #4: The “No Camping” Policy & Idle Fees

“Camping” refers to leaving your car in a charging bay after the session has finished. In 2025, major networks like Tesla, Evie, and Chargefox have significantly stepped up their Idle Fees.

• The 10-Minute Grace: Most chargers now give you a 10-minute window to move your car once it hits its target.
• The Penalty: After that, you could be charged anywhere from $0.50 to $1.00 per minute.
• The EV Evolution Tip: Set an alarm on your phone for 5 minutes before your app says you’ll be done. This gives you time to finish your lunch and walk back to the bay before the “penalty clock” starts ticking.

🚗 Rule #5: “ICE-ing” and Awareness

“ICE-ing” is when an Internal Combustion Engine (petrol) car parks in an EV spot. While this is frustrating, remember that as of late 2025, many drivers are still learning.

• The Legal Side: Most Australian states now have hefty fines for “ICE-ing” (up to $2,200 in NSW).
• The Human Side: If you see someone accidentally parking a petrol car in a bay, a friendly, non-confrontational word often works better than a call to the rangers. We’re all sharing the road!

🧘 How to Avoid “Charge Rage”

Even with the best etiquette, peak days (like Boxing Day or New Year’s Day) will be busy. Here’s how to keep your cool:

1. Check “Charge@Large”: Use the real-time tracker to see which hubs are currently congested. If a 350kW station has a 3-car queue, a 50kW station 5km away might actually be faster in the long run.
2. Charge in the “Off-Peaks”: If you can, hit the chargers before 9 AM or after 8 PM. You’ll find shorter lines and often cheaper electricity rates.
3. Be a “Newbie Guide”: With 100,000 new owners this year, you’ll likely see someone struggling with a plug or an app. Offer a hand! A little community spirit goes a long way in turning a stressful wait into a friendly chat.

🏁 Join the Evolution

The 2025 summer season is a massive test for Australia’s infrastructure, but it’s also proof of how far we’ve come. We aren’t just a group of tech-enthusiasts anymore; we are a mainstream movement of Aussies choosing a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient way to travel.

Whether you’re trying to figure out the idle fees at a specific station, or you’re curious about which 2026 models have the fastest charging curves to beat the holiday queues, we’ve got your back.

Start a conversation with the EV Evolution AI chatbot today. Our AI is the ultimate co-pilot for your summer road trip, packed with the latest 2025 network data and technical specs.

Ask our AI chatbot anything:

• “What are the idle fee policies for Evie vs. Chargefox in 2025?”
• “Which chargers on the M1 are currently least busy?”
• “How do I set my car to stop at 80% to follow the etiquette rules?”
• “What’s the best way to politely tell someone they are ‘ICE-ing’ a spot?”

About EV Evolution

EV Evolution is the leading online platform dedicated to Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. We foster a vibrant community, delivering essential EV news and insights, and enhancing user engagement through our innovative, AI-powered chatbot for dynamic discussions. Our mission is to empower Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts by fostering a vibrant, AI-driven online community that connects, informs, and advances the nation’s electric vehicle landscape.