"But, I couldn't get it to charge"

[Mach1E]

So that's my question. What happens IF the repair technician comes to repair the charger and access to the machine is blocked? Is it like the Fire Department when you park at a fire hydrant? Does the technician get to bust all up your EV because it is in the way? ?

Maybe a dumb question, but does the tech need to park in that spot to fix a broken charger?

If not, you can’t “block” a technician.

I would guess most technicians drive regular old ICE pickup trucks.

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[Mirak]

But you're okay wasting someone else's time? As many others stated, there are some vehicles that don't work with some charge units, or sometimes there's other issues related to that vehicle whereas another vehicle would be able to activate it just fine. Blocking the spot so that you don't have to waste time, while making someone else wait for you to get back isn't something I would tolerate.

I hear you. And if broken chargers were not so common, I would agree with you. But busted CCS is so common, both hardware and software, that I think we should extend some grace at this point. Even if a charger could just be software reset, I just don’t think it’s a reasonable demand for someone to either waste more time troubleshooting the charger or waste more time relocating to another spot.

As long as they parked with the intention charging, at that point let’s cut them slack. They’ll be on to their next errand anyway in 30mins. At least, that’s the supposed intention of locating the charger there. Obviously it’s a nuisance for somebody who sought out that charger for a quick fill up on a road trip, but that’s an indictment of the charger location more than anything.

Bottom line: this is mostly a problem caused by scarcity of chargers in general, and especially working chargers, and not so much a problem of people acting like jerks. People are busy. People are just trying to get their errands done.

 

[DevSecOps]

As long as they parked with the intention charging, at that point let’s cut them slack. They’ll be on to their next errand anyway in 30mins. At least, that’s the supposed intention of locating the charger there. Obviously it’s a nuisance for somebody who sought out that charger for a quick fill up on a road trip, but that’s an indictment of the charger location more than anything.

If I pull up to a charger out of pure necessity and it's the only unit with someone blocking it, not charging, I'm calling a tow truck. If you make it back before the tow gets there then great, otherwise you'll have a lot more time invested than I will. Almost all the charge stations I've used are in shopping centers, so therefore I disagree with the intention of locating them there. Twice I've seen someone charging at the EA in Los Banos, CA (at Target) where they got picked up by a friend/family and left. Last time I saw this they were already at 116 minutes plugged in and nowhere to be found. Not everyone is there for a "quick fill-up".

While I agree this can be nit-picking to an extent, it's about being courteous to other EV owners and I don't understand why some people have issue with that. The problem is that people only seem to think about themselves. Also (while not saying this was the case here), I'm sure people lie about charging so that they can park closer and in those cases it's just flat out being rude.

 

[Mach1E]

If I pull up to a charger out of pure necessity and it's the only unit with someone blocking it, not charging, I'm calling a tow truck. If you make it back before the tow gets there then great, otherwise you'll have a lot more time invested than I will. Almost all the charge stations I've used are in shopping centers, so therefore I disagree with the intention of locating them there. Twice I've seen someone charging at the EA in Los Banos, CA (at Target) where they got picked up by a friend/family and left. Last time I saw this they were already at 116 minutes plugged in and nowhere to be found. Not everyone is there for a "quick fill-up".

While I agree this can be nit-picking to an extent, it's about being courteous to other EV owners and I don't understand why some people have issue with that. The problem is that people only seem to think about themselves.

You’d really call a tow truck on someone?

That’s bold.

Would love to be there for that interaction when you find out you just towed one of your neighbors, co-workers or friends car.

Stage 1- It’s one thing to disagree and be annoyed.

Stage 2- Another to confront the person.

Stage 3- And calling the authorities is a whole other level.

I would probably stop at stage 1.

 

[DevSecOps]

You’d really call a tow truck on someone?

Most definitely and I'd pay for it out of pocket. I clearly stated that I would do that if it was the only station and someone was blocking it and I needed it out of pure necessity.

This happened to me once before where I couldn't get to another charger and there were 2 cars blocking the only unit. They were both ICE vehicles and it was 10pm with 1.5 hours till I got home. I went into the establishment and told the cashier that if no one moved them in 10 minutes I would call a tow. I'm not about to get a hotel over someone else being inconsiderate.

 

[Mirak]

@DevSecOps thats an interesting idea but I don’t think you have the legal right to have anyone towed. I actually wonder if the store has the right. Probably, but it might depend upon the particular city ordinance.

 

[DevSecOps]

@DevSecOps thats an interesting idea but I don’t think you have the legal right to have anyone towed. I actually wonder if the store has the right. Probably, but it might depend upon the particular city ordinance.

In California, Illinois and Massachusetts it's considered illegal to park in a designated parking stall for charging if not charging. In those three states a vehicle can be legally towed for violation of this law. They will, additionally, face fines.

California:
22511.1 (a) A person shall not park or leave standing a vehicle in a stall or space designated pursuant to Section 22511 unless the vehicle is connected for electric charging purposes.
(b) A person shall not obstruct, block, or otherwise bar access to parking stalls or spaces described in subdivision (a) except as provided in subdivision (a).

 

[AKgrampy]

In California, Illinois and Massachusetts it's considered illegal to park in a designated parking stall for charging if not charging. In those three states a vehicle can be legally towed for violation of this law. They will, additionally, face fines.

California:
22511.1 (a) A person shall not park or leave standing a vehicle in a stall or space designated pursuant to Section 22511 unless the vehicle is connected for electric charging purposes.
(b) A person shall not obstruct, block, or otherwise bar access to parking stalls or spaces described in subdivision (a) except as provided in subdivision (a).

I would never use one of those spots - period. I also think it is a “dick” move to block it but would the spot have to be labeled that the owner could be towed pursuant to Section 22511 in order to legally tow it? I have seen spots with warning signs about being towed as you suggest but I do not see it in this case. Just wondering.

 

[DevSecOps]

I would never use one of those spots - period. I also think it is a “dick” move to block it but would the spot have to be labeled that the owner could be towed pursuant to Section 22511 in order to legally tow it? I have seen spots with warning signs about being towed as you suggest but I do not see it in this case. Just wondering.

In California it doesn't require a warning, I don't know about other states. If it's on private property it can be towed so long as the vehicle is operational. If it's on public property it requires a sign. Either way, almost all parking lots have a sign at the entrance that encompasses the entire lot.

 

[MellowJohnny]

Mellow's comment is correct but having charge units close to the building is typically only for L2 supplied by that company. Newer DCFC units don't piggyback off of commercial buildings, they actually pull from the closest utility drop or underground power source. This is typically along the roadway. You'll notice that most DCFC stations back up to the corridor. Some of the older stations are located up front, but thankfully most of the newer ones are further away and closer to the road.

It's like a mullet: L2 up front, DCFC in the back

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Circling the island with my sister today. We were driving through the southernmost village on the island, a Cadillac Lyriq came roaring up behind me in the middle of town, then made an illegal pass (2 lane road in a business district with a 25 mph limit) to get in front of me. I arrived at our apparently mutual destination less than 20 seconds after he did. He pulls into the Shell Recharge charging spot. Quickly gets out of his car and goes inside. All without even attempting to charge the car. He passed up almost 20 prime parking spots to park there. A Tesla squeezed into a non spot on the other side of DCFC unit but couldn’t quite get the CHADEMO cable to reach.

So I’m limping to the bakery while explaining all this to my sister (absolutely clueless about BEVs), thinking about this thread. The Tesla guy goes inside and tells the manager. The manager makes a PA telling the owner of a Cadillac Lyriq to move their car or they’d have it towed. The owner left and never came back.

This shouldn’t be that hard. I observed it and found it annoying. I had plenty of charge to get home and then some. But i suspect the M3 owner didn’t. Do your virtue signaling where and when appropriate. This was neither. Just park somewhere else.

edit: I was parked in a sub prime, but very wide (and hence door ding resistant) handicapped parking space that didn’t require we play dodge tourist after getting our malasadas and coffee . i had a great view of the abomination of a DCFC there. (Very old 50 kW EFACEC unit).

 

[Mach1E]

Most definitely and I'd pay for it out of pocket. I clearly stated that I would do that if it was the only station and someone was blocking it and I needed it out of pure necessity.

This happened to me once before where I couldn't get to another charger and there were 2 cars blocking the only unit. They were both ICE vehicles and it was 10pm with 1.5 hours till I got home. I went into the establishment and told the cashier that if no one moved them in 10 minutes I would call a tow. I'm not about to get a hotel over someone else being inconsiderate.

Threatening to tow and actually getting someone towed are two separate things.

Even in the situation above, I highly doubt you’d wait around for the tow truck just to get a charge.

In my experience tow trucks aren’t exactly….. quick. Takes hours for them to show up. You’d be long gone by then. Towing them would just be out of spite. Would they deserve it? Maybe, depends on the situation of course.

 

[Mach1E]

I'd think the technician would appreciate his tools and test equipment be nearby.

It’s a parking lot.

So in other words- “no?”

 

[Jimrpa]

Not quite sure I agree. If the charger is out of order and needs repair, access to the station so it could be repaired might be necessary. Some repairs may require the use of a lift or other piece of equipment attached to a service repair vehicle.

That's kinda like saying you can park in a fire lane because the building isn't on fire.

Allow me to introduce you to my neighborhood Starbucks. You wouldn’t believe the number of entitled, lulumon-clad … creatures … who can’t be bothered to park their G-wagons, Land Rovers, and for the poor ones, their Q7s in a huge empty parking lot right across the fire lane and, instead park in front of the no parking sign in the fire lane while they go in to grab their trenta, skinny, no foam, 3 extra pumps, latte ?

 

[Jimrpa]

Around here, you don’t see the issue the OP brought up too often. I speculate that’s because most chargers around here are far away from the buildings of interest. For example, the local DCFC is in the farthest corner of the defunct anchor store at the local mall. No way is anyone voluntarily parking there unless they’re actively charging. Similarly, I’ve noticed our local Wawas are installing the DCFC/Superchargers in the corners of their parking lots as far away from the store as possible.
Just make them unattractive to park at and the problem is solved.

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