Money Moral Dilemma: Should we pay for charging our electric car at other people's homes?

Ebe_Scrooge

Sandtree said:

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

Well yes, obviously.  At least offer to pay something towards the electricity; the one providing it may well refuse to accept, but it's polite to at least say you'll contribute.  I'm surprised the question had to be asked.

How far do you go with that thought?

Lets assume you're invited over for Sunday lunch, do you routinely offer to contribute to the cost of the food/drink inc cost of preparation?

Personally, if I'm invited for lunch/dinner/BBQ whatever, I wouldn't offer to give cash for that - although I'd always arrive with a bottle or 2 of wine and a bunch of flowers for the hostess.  And our friends always do the same when it's our turn to host.

And you make a very valid point about if it's a "reciprocal" arrangement.

crocdoctt

I wold prefer to recieve a box of chocolates or some fresh fruit; or explain it only comes on between 00.30 and 04.30 and we dont have spare bed for you .

Bigphil1474

Really it depends on the friends and the family - if I was visiting my dad, he'd be plugging the car in for me and wouldn't take a penny for it even if I insisted. If i was visiting one of my brothers, he'd probably want to charge me double. There's nothing worse than someone who always takes without giving, but if the arrangement is reciprocal , then I wouldn't offer to pay.

traygar

This is an interesting question and its skewed in favour of offering to pay something because everyone knows electric is expensive right now. If electric was dirt cheap, I feel everyone would lean towards it being good manners to offer a free top up if someone has made the effort to come and see you. Don't forget the person who is visiting has spent their time traveling and wear and tear of their vehicle getting to you! are you going to offer to pay something to the visitor for their time and vehicle wear and tear? nope. Are you going to get a calculator out and add up the costs of the traveller vs host and figure out who needs to pay something? nope! I regularly travel to see family who are hours away, the cost of which often involves diesel, wear and tear on my vehicle and a room for the night, not once has anyone suggests they should pay for my costs. If you were traveling 5 minutes down the road and your visitor was filling up their tank, well your a mug for letting them! 

Bonnypitlad

Of course you should !
It is ridiculous even to ask the question 

psm2day

I'd always offer to pay as you never know how high their tariff is, or give them a gift to say thanks, as you would if you asked for a lift to the airport etc  its just common courtesy.

psm2day

traygar said:

This is an interesting question and its skewed in favour of offering to pay something because everyone knows electric is expensive right now. If electric was dirt cheap, I feel everyone would lean towards it being good manners to offer a free top up if someone has made the effort to come and see you. Don't forget the person who is visiting has spent their time traveling and wear and tear of their vehicle getting to you! are you going to offer to pay something to the visitor for their time and vehicle wear and tear? nope. Are you going to get a calculator out and add up the costs of the traveller vs host and figure out who needs to pay something? nope! I regularly travel to see family who are hours away, the cost of which often involves diesel, wear and tear on my vehicle and a room for the night, not once has anyone suggests they should pay for my costs. If you were traveling 5 minutes down the road and your visitor was filling up their tank, well your a mug for letting them! 

Wow so you think people should pay you for going to see them, do you fo the same calculations for anyone coming to see you ??

Oakdeneal

Can I come to your house and you fill my car up with diesel? No? Dilemma answered. 

renzoguapo

yes most definately you should offer to pay. Would be no different if you had run out of petrol and they had some spare cans...IMHO..
Are you H?

silvercar

The equally cheeky answer from the host is to reply that they have signed  up to one of the apps that allow EV charger owners to sell their electricity and suggest their guest book in:

Plugshare, co-charger, BookMyCharge all claim to do this. The apps take about 10% and you set your own rate for usage.