Walmart charging fiasco

Let me first state that I haven't shopped at a Walmart in years as a matter of principal. OK, that said, it holds the only charging station in town. Yep, not even the public library nor city hall is on board yet. And from my experience at Walmart, it may remain so. So here's the situation. The town is 15 miles away, so I planned my errands around the Walmart pit stop which included 3 other stops within walking distance thinking I would get some EV miles on the return trip. Trouble is, the charge station at Walmart is up front and the EV only signs completely ignored. I parked close by, went in to register my displeasure at seeing non-EV cars occupying the spaces. Got the "not that again" look from the manager who asked for license plate numbers. By the time I got back out, a space had opened up. I quickly get in the car to move, but there is a LARGE suv positioned to grab it. I roll down my window to ask, "Are you going to plug in?" knowing of course she can't. Without an apology or "oops", she diverts the conversation to asking who pays for the electricity.

Part 2 (yes, there is a question at the end of this, just wanting to vent)
I back in but the station for some reason is not on line. Just about then another EV parking space opens up. Once again I quickly pull forward to get in that space, but a vintage Detroit BIG engine is eyeing the spot. Once again I roll down the window, "Are you going to plug in?" "Oh, I'm just going to be here a short time" comes the answer.

So these spaces have become short term parking like at the airport. The store personnel are at a lose and completely annoyed by the whole situation. Shoppers may view the upfront EV spaces as "privilege" undeserved. This is a small town in a very conservation county in Oregon. Amazing the various large SUV's that occupy those spaces, not even pretending to be environmentally conscious and seeming to thumb their noses at any attempts at change.

So finally, the question: Have you experienced this and do you know anything the establishment did that helped change things around? Or are we going to have to be campaigners, effecting change, one space at a time? If so, I'm going to have to add some extra time to my errand run.

Here is Los Angeles, that is expected 100% of the time from a walmart shopper. Mainly because Walmart attracts the lower rent crowd. I've also experienced the same thing at the downtown Union train station. I told a woman who grabbed the spot that she is using my "gas station" but she could care less. Complained to the parking manager, he could care less.

There are places around town that strictly enforce the EV parking and ticket/tow at the auto-owner's expense. If the parking facility does this measure, you can expect people to avoid those spots. If the establishment could care less, the people who park there could care less as well.

LAX airport provides about 15 EV spots. They ticket you if you are not plugged in period. Even if you do have an electric vehicle -- not plugged in and you get a ticket.

As a fine note: I do not shop at Walmart.

I am also from Oregon and I am assuming that you live somewhere in east of the cascades? I grew up in Bend so I know what it can be like over there and I think that a big part of it is just people being ignorant. Unfortunately I think you will find that more so at Walmart than anywhere else. I would be pretty pissed if it were me, I would get some of those parking violation stickers (the ones that are a PIA to get off) and just slap them on peoples windows who are parked there when they shouldn't be. There isn't much you can do other than that. I think that in time people will get more used to the way that EVs work and will be more understanding.

I would do the same and I'm prepared for it too

I would be happy to walk from the back of the lot. That would ensure that the SUVs are not parking there.

I think the reason the spots are up front are proximity to a power source to install the stations.

It's probably up front because it's easier to run the electric feeds from the store.

Theres this specific company has scouts that drive around their contracted lots and scout illegally parked cars to tow. They like the money and the spots stay open. Theres a Costco by my house that has had EV spots since the GM EV1 days and they are still there yet everytime I drive by there are other cars parked there.

I actually live west of the Cascades in Yamhill County, but very much like Deschutes County- hard working folks who love their BIG vehicles and life like it use to be. Love the idea of the PIA parking violation stickers. Any idea where to get these? Also, is the EV parking enforceable by local municipalities? Will need to look into that. And a good question for the provider, "Do you enforce violations?" Walmart seemed to think it was not enforceable. Looks like I got some homework to do unless anyone out there can clarify.

McMinville? I think that is the only Walmart in Yamhill, right? I actually live in Newberg so nice to meet you neighbor!

Something like this...

10 *REAL* NO PARKING/TOWING WARNING VIOLATION STICKERS! | eBay

If city and/or property ordinances support towing? I heartily support that!
However (comma!) placing hard-to-get-off stickers on cars?
IMHO?
That makes you worse than a mere vandal.
It's like jazz music.
You either get it or you don't, and explanations are moot in either case.

Probably the reason that most EV spaces are in front (as stated above) is that the vendor has to wire them from the building, and this is more expensive the further you get from said building.....especially if you're retrofitting.

I don't have an EV (yet)....Prius or otherwise, and so the only dog I have in this fight is the fact that I drive a Prius....and unless you're a Prius enthusiast? A pip looks like.......a Prius.

I think that we would enjoy better public relations if we grew up a little bit as a community and used a few more carrots and fewer sticks. I awlway hear about the "low rent" ________ (non-Prius) community, but having frequented many automotive, motorcycle, and other forums I would very humbly suggest that we could do a little bit better in raising our standards before we start fussing about the non-hybrid community.

Just a thought.

In California, there is also some kind of rule/regulation that requires "some" EV charging spaces to also be handicap accessible. I just looked this up a couple of weeks ago. But 1-25 EV charging spaces requires at least 1 that is handicap accessible. And the "accessible" has certain guidelines.. like signage.. 18 feet long for van access.. X feet to the sides, etc etc.

Thanks for the stickers! I can use them where I live. My parking spot is numbered. ( I pay for that parking spot) And the number is my assigned parking spot. There are already Towing signs in my apartments parking lot, so the stickers will come in handy.

Whatta you know- I live in Newberg as well! We really are neighbors. Look for my Prius at the Newberg Freddies, sea glass pearl, almost got the white, such a pretty white. At Freddies, the charging stations are out back by the gas pumps and no one seems to bother to park there so no hassles.

So far have found out there is legislation about charging stations in CA, but don't think in OR yet. Also, Blink does not enforce parking violations but leave it up to the retailer. Someone mentioned how putting cones in the spaces helped solve the problem so may mention that to Walmart to see how open they are about it. May be worth it to them to stop the complaints.

I am not trying to be argumentative, but I am curious about who does pay for the electricity.

The store.

Well that certainly would be an incentive to buy a PIP.

I love going to Ikea Coasta Mesa now. They have like 8 blink charging stations in front that are free. Close parking and free charge.

I go to the Equinox Gym off the freeway in Newport Beach. Zero problems with people abusing the Charge Point EV station down there, Infact I told another owner if I'm parked in it park next to me and i'll plug them in when I leave.

I guess it's the crowd there. Wal-mart vs. Business Exec park...

I personally wouldn't mind if most places didn't make them smack dab in the front of the property. But at the same time further they are the more likely they are to get vandalized i supose...

LOL Equinox is a premium gym. That's like comparing Walmart with Barneys. Two completely different types of people. The lower the income and education, the less respect.