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ahoxus - osm ev manifesto
(too long did not read? at the bottom)
# open street map + electric vehicle manifesto
this manifesto calls for improved data quality and consistency for all electric vehicle charging stations in openstreetmap.
we want to keep the primary focus on ensuring that electric vehicle charging stations appear clearly in organic maps and similar mobile applications, where such data will be most useful.
by providing accurate and consistent information, we enable drivers of electric vehicles with limited range, such as those relying on smaller batteries or traveling in remote areas, to find reliable charging points efficiently.
current name conventions in openstreetmap often discourage adding extra descriptive information to the name field. the rationale is that naming should remain neutral, brand-oriented, and free of details that belong in other tags. however, until organic maps and other applications offer enhanced filtering and search capabilities, adding a short, standardized descriptor to the name may temporarily bridge the gap.
for instance, including a short connector type or power rating next to the standard name can help drivers quickly identify whether a station meets their requirements.
this approach does not seek to permanently break established guidelines. instead, it acts as a short-term exception while the community, developers, or anyone with the technical skills addresses the underlying search and tagging improvements. consider it a practical workaround: name fields remain simple, concise, and readable, but include a minimal amount of well-structured information until organic maps or other map renderers provide better features. once the software improves, these extra details can be migrated out of the name field, restoring compliance with long-standing openstreetmap policies.
we also see data hygiene as essential. each electric vehicle charging station entry should stay as accurate and up-to-date as possible. this includes:
+ correct coordinates and placement on the map
+ standardized tags for connector types, power ratings, access limitations, and payment methods
+ verified operator and brand details
+ documentation of usage restrictions, such as business hours or parking fees, as separate tags rather than name details
+ the community can learn from well-established resources such as plugshare, open charge map, ionity, and greenway. cross-referencing these sources ensures that openstreetmap data remains complete and reliable. while no abbreviations are used here, the intent is to keep data tags minimal, interoperable, and easily parsed by both people and software.
to encourage progress and innovation, consider the possibility of bounties or other incentives. creating a small fund or bounty could motivate contributors to implement the missing features in organic maps or similar applications. this could ultimately reduce the need for exceptions in naming and restore strict adherence to established policies. by aligning incentives, community members might find the time or resources to work on code improvements, documentation, or user interface enhancements.
the path forward:
+ keep names simple but allow a minimal, standardized descriptor until applications improve.
+ ensure that all additional information is properly tagged and follows agreed-upon standards.
+ document the temporary exceptions and the reasons behind them, making it clear that the ultimate goal is to return to normal name-tagging conventions.
+ track progress on improvements to organic maps and other platforms. once these tools support better filtering and searching, remove the extra descriptors from name fields.
+ foster community engagement and contributions through bounties or other support mechanisms.
# too long did not read?
we will temporarily allow minimal descriptive detail in charging station names in openstreetmap to help electric vehicle drivers find suitable stations until organic maps and similar tools offer more powerful search features. once improvements are made, we will revert to standard naming conventions.
and this manifesto remains a work in progress. please help to improve it!