EV parking priority

[GSP]

I have seen a PiP charging at a level 2 station...I am not sure if it was actually charging but it was plugged into a known L2 Chargepoint

Yes, the PIP supports J1772 directly, as does every modern EV in North America and Japan (except for one automaker.....).

GSP

[stopcrazypp]

I highly doubt that the EPA or CARB is putting up the "EV Parking Only" signs, so they have little control over the wording of such signs. You're taking these signs way too literally, as if the erectors of such signs intended them to be exclusionary to Volt, PiP or Karma drivers. I doubt that much consideration was given to them specific propulsion setup of the "electric" cars to which they meant to allow use of the charging cables. I would think you could make a little room for a PHEV at the charging stations of the world, like many have stated, they can all share. Your Tesla doesn't even use J1772, so I don't know why it matters so much to you.

Using your logic, I might also ask why Toyota doesn't contribute to the federal highway funds, since they sold a few million cars here last year which must use those roads.

I think parking spaces with "EV only" signs should be for EVs only. It's easy to identify one (in California at least) because they qualify for the white carpool sticker (PHEVs only qualify for the green ones). The reason is simply that EVs NEED the charge, while PHEVs definitely don't need it. PHEVs can charge in the other charging stations. It's similar to the idea of handicap spots (which is need based).

There's also privilege based spots (like hybrid, expectant mother parking spots), which for "EV only" would be a spot that doesn't have a charging station (but is reserved for EVs only). There it doesn't matter as much if a PHEV is parked there.

[dsm363]

Attachment 5319

Hopefully if a Volt/PiP/PHEV was opportunity charging somewhere, and a LEAF/Tesla/EV pulled up and didn't have the juice to find another charging spot, the PHEV driver would unplug and make space. Earlier suggestions for paid charging (run the meter while plugged in, regardless of the amount of juice flowing) would encourage most drivers to check in on the charger frequently instead of leaving it for hours on end, providing an opportunity for the EV driver to ask for his turn. There's also the etiquette cards that provide cell numbers, etc.

I like this idea. Until there is a charge station at most spots, charge the person to park there based on time. If they want to tie up the spot while fully charged or a PHEV simply wants to top off then they can pay the premium.

[smoothoperator]

I like this idea. Until there is a charge station at most spots, charge the person to park there based on time. If they want to tie up the spot while fully charged or a PHEV simply wants to top off then they can pay the premium.

First hand, I have experienced how frustrating it can be when a car is blocking a perfectly good EV charging station (in my case it was an ICE vehicle parked in an EV spot)...When you start to get into the red range, it can be quite stressful and maddening not being able to charge. Its hard to explain the emotions one goes through when in this type of situation.

In California at least...its very likely that if someone sees a prius parked in the ev spot that they will think their prius is an EV (regardless if it is a PIP or not)....

[bonnie1194]

First hand, I have experienced how frustrating it can be when a car is blocking a perfectly good EV charging station (in my case it was an ICE vehicle parked in an EV spot)...When you start to get into the red range, it can be quite stressful and maddening not being able to charge. Its hard to explain the emotions one goes through when in this type of situation.

Since this is a forum full of EV owners, I think it's safe to say that many of us have encountered that situation.

I still feel it's best to be willing to share. I understand that means that I will be frustrated at times, when planning on using a plug that is not available. But that's a short-term frustration. I think if we don't keep our eye on the long-term, we will build a polarized (<- deliberate) community, when we should be focusing on how we help each other. If a Volt owner perceives me as 'in the same camp', he is more likely to share the plug. But if he perceives me as elitist, unwilling to share, then he has no reason to help me out.

[smoothoperator]

Since this is a forum full of EV owners, I think it's safe to say that many of us have encountered that situation.

I still feel it's best to be willing to share. I understand that means that I will be frustrated at times, when planning on using a plug that is not available. But that's a short-term frustration. I think if we don't keep our eye on the long-term, we will build a polarized (<- deliberate) community, when we should be focusing on how we help each other. If a Volt owner perceives me as 'in the same camp', he is more likely to share the plug. But if he perceives me as elitist, unwilling to share, then he has no reason to help me out.

The question I have is...when there are 40k (EV + PHEV) more plug in capable vehicles in 18 mos or so do you think there will be enough public infrastructure to support the PHEV and the EV's? By initially limiting spots to EV's this ensures that those who need the charge the most will be able to. When there are several thousand public charging stations available then I am all for sharing.

thoughts?

[spatterso911]

I think that we are all buying Tesla products because we don't want to have to deal with range anxiety like i-MiEV/Leaf owners. I'm going to be more open to charging at home and selecting wisely how I drive my EV over driving it like I can charge whenever, wherever. I think that the spirit of the EV community includes those that drive PHEV's. Their motivation is to hopefully drive as cleanly as possible, and reduce/eliminate their dependence on gasoline. If they can top off and keep going on EV mode (or whatever they call it for whatever brand they drive), then it is better for us all. I think that over time, it may even help to sell more PHEV's and BEV's, thus increasing the market to place more charge stations.

Nobody said being an early adopter of BEV technology would be easy.

[bonnie1194]

The question I have is...when there are 40k (EV + PHEV) more plug in capable vehicles in 18 mos or so do you think there will be enough public infrastructure to support the PHEV and the EV's? By initially limiting spots to EV's this ensures that those who need the charge the most will be able to. When there are several thousand public charging stations available then I am all for sharing.

thoughts?

Yes, I do think there will be enough public infrastructure. When I look at where I could charge publicly just a year ago in SF, it was Pier 29. Now just 12 months later, there are countless places to charge. In just a year, without a huge increase in the number of electric vehicles. Look at the new charging companies on the scene - they see profit. Hotels and restaurants are starting to put in chargers. Walgreens! States are setting aside dollars for infrastructure. I think we're right on the brink of exponential growth. When I took a 1300 mile roadtrip last summer, it was only remarkable because it wasn't remarkable - meaning, it wasn't newsworthy like it would have been a year earlier - because charging was not a challenge.

I'm a strong believer in the theory of abundance - meaning we do not always have to compete for resource, but rather sometimes we can actually all benefit. The larger the population needing chargers, the more chargers there will be - giving us more choice than we would have had, had we chosen to fiercely protect our territory.

[dsm363]

I think as long as spots are limited, maybe charging for parking by the hour as mentioned above might be best.
For free parking and charging, they should ideally be for EVs but PHEVs should of course have access. The problem for both though is finding a way to encourage the person parking but not charging to move along.

[spatterso911]

I think a good way to deal with that problem is to treat charging stations like parking meters. If you are parked and not actively charging, you could be subject to a ticket. The meter could blink red when not charging, green when charging, just like many meters do now. Of course, there is a contingent of EV drivers that would protest the inability to park at a charging station and NOT charge!