During this holiday season, more and more “charging attendants” are being deployed at electric vehicle charging stations, especially at TotalEnergies, to help drivers charge their vehicles calmly.
Perhaps you have recently been on vacation in a country like Italy where a gas station attendant helped you refuel your car. It is true that in France this profession no longer exists. But with the rise of electric vehicles, here comes the replacement: the charging attendant! If you drive an electric vehicle, you may have already come across one on your holiday road trip. With their orange vest, they are present at certain charging stations to assist drivers who may be confused when it comes to charging. Charging an electric vehicle is not an exact science. With countless operators, their charging cards, QR codes, different prices, various plugs… it can be overwhelming! Charging attendants are there to help and reassure.
Since last February, during school holiday periods, when there are major departures, TotalEnergies has deployed charging attendants at 132 stations, with plans to equip 300 stations soon. It is a profession that is often seasonal, but does not require specific electrical skills to be performed. Good interpersonal skills and pedagogy are key. “We needed someone who is comfortable with applications, telephony, etc… Because for payments, many things happen through applications,” explains the director of the Aire-sur-l’Adour station to France Bleu.
A charging attendant interviewed by La Provence explained that she chooses which driver to assist based on age. “Elderly people usually need more help, especially those who do not have a phone or subscription card or do not know how to use QR codes. When I see them wandering around the charging station, I approach them. It reassures them.”
In addition to helping with the charging process itself, charging attendants also assist drivers in selecting the right charging station based on the connector in their vehicle. This guidance is valuable to avoid wasting more time than necessary on charging. Charging attendants also play a role in regulating the availability of stations during peak holiday periods. They explain that charging speed decreases significantly and takes longer beyond 80%, and it is usually more time-efficient to leave at 80% capacity rather than waiting for full charge. This information is crucial for drivers. TotalEnergies plans to deploy charging attendants for 80 days a year.