Those Three blue LEDs on the dashboard ...

[sakumar]

But you would see that immediately when you plugged in after the trip. You would plug in and you would see the lights start flashing in sequence on the dashboard instead of light 1 lighting up. "Oh, that's right, my charging timer is on because it's a weekday!" Hit the timer override button on the dash and you're in business.

But when you parked your car in the driveway that morning the sun was shining directly on the windshield, so you couldn't see the LEDs. Hey, it's my scenario right?

But I'm sure you see my point, that the state of the LEDs at any given time don't tell you the whole story. There is additional state information (like what the LEDs were doing when you plugged in the charger) that is needed for getting the whole picture and, in my opinion, that is bad design.

Coincidentally, just today I signed up for a free online class on Human Computer Interaction. http://www.hci-class.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (and no, I didn't start this thread to plug the course).

[davewill]

Just relax and enjoy the blinkenlights!

Achtung!
Alles turisten und nonteknischen lookenpeepers!
Das maschine-kontrol ist nicht für der gefingerpoken und mittengraben!
Oderwise ist easy to schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken mit spitzensparksen.

Der maschine ist diggen bei experten only!

Ist nicht für gewerken bei dummkopfen. Der rubbernecken sightseeren keepen das cottonpicken händer in das pockets.

Zo relaxen und watschen der blinkenlights.

[smkettner]

Right and left should be from the prospective of the driver sitting in the driver seat.

[jpa2825]

Don't most people have their smartphone with them most of the time anyway? If in doubt, pull up Carwings and check (even though there appear to be some discrepancies between phone and car on occasion).

[ahagge]

What I wish is that there was some cross-brand consistency. The behavior is, like, almost the opposite between LEAF and Volt. I have no idea what it is for iMiEV or PiP or Coda or ...
If you arrive at a public charging station and some car is plugged in, it would be nice to have some notion of what is happening. Is their battery low or nearly charged? About how long is it going to be before they are done?

And, yes, I agree with the implied frustration of the OP. Eight different defined states for three lights (and one of those is still ambiguous) is a bit much to wrap your brain around.

Ray

+1 - we need some standardization across the industry...

[smkettner]

- we need some standardization across the industry...

Yea maybe SAE should get involved with this also

[GRA]

- we need some standardization across the industry...

Yea maybe SAE should get involved with this also

Yucks aside, eventually I expect this will be standardized. Of course, by the time that happens there may be EVSEs for all, eliminating the need.

[Nekota]

Right and left should be from the prospective of the driver sitting in the driver seat.

Port and Starboard solves the problem too!

[walterbays]

- we need some standardization across the industry...

Yea maybe SAE should get involved with this also

Here it is: the SAE Combo Charging Light Cupholder, addressing the crucial need of EV drivers to determine their charging status at the same time they enjoy a refreshing beverage. GM will now begin lobbying government to close down 7-11, Starbucks, and other non-standard coffee shops until the new standard system is ready for deployment sometime around 2017.


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[LEAFer]

I can't interpret the charging (SOC) status with sufficient detail ! Couldn't you have used a transparent cup !!@@@