Gas autos hogging EV charging station parking spaces

[Richard230]

A letter to the auto editor in my newspaper from a reader in San Jose says that he has seen gas-powered cars hogging the EV charging station parking spaces in places like the local Costco and Fry's. He comments: "Why do the rules of civility not apply to these blatantly egocentric pinheads?". (I am guessing that he drives an EV.)

But this does bring up an interesting question. Will the businesses who install charging stations enforce a requirement that only vehicles needing electric charging park there? And do they have the legal authority to tow IC vehicles that hog these spots and will they take the time and potential customer backlash to do it? Towing vehicles from a private commercial parking lot usually requires advance notice via a sign at each entry and also legal authority from the local municipality or state government. Fights over charging station parking spots could become a problem, especially at shopping centers.

[Brammofan]

This could definitely develop into a form of "class war." 

Good thing our bikes usually can be rolled between two Hummers and parked up next to the charging pole.

[Richard230]

Check out this item from Australia. It didn't take long for the IC/EV war to start:

http://www.vexnews.com/news/4422/take-from-the-poor-give-to-the-rich-hippies-westfield-reserves-parking-for-hybrid-vehicles/

[Brammofan]

The comments on that post are a must-read. 

[protomech]

Reminds me of this..

[Kelly Olsen]

Love that picture!

The parking thing actually is something I noticed some time ago in our City. There is a rather large Supermarket in my neighborhood and it has 2 EV spaces. These are right next to 2 handicapped spaces. The chargers have the old style paddles so they don't get much use. however, they couldn't be used anyway because every time I have been there both EV spaces have been occupied by gas cars with handicapped placards.

I've been meaning to look into suggesting legislation to the City Council which is pretty pro EV, although I suspect that this will be taken up by the State, if it has not already.

[Breemmo]

I have experienced this first hand.
For several years JC Penny Co at Hilltop Mall in Richmond Ca offered free (3 Avcon chargers) charging at preferred parking spaces close to the Handicap parking in front of their store. I worked nearby and charged my car there many times. http://evalbum.com/3484   There were other EVs that also used this charging station. Now the charging stations have been removed. The mall managers claim that vandalism was the main problem. You can bet the users of the charging would never vandalize the chargers. So you can guess who the perps were. I won't speculate. BTW I have sold the pickup as of Nov 10,2010.