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Stopped by LAX for a charge...terrible!

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by UCBRUINS, Mar 20, 2012.

  1. UCBRUINS

    UCBRUINS Member

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    Excited to try a Level 2 for the first time, I drove over to Lot 1 and dicovered they only had 2 J1772 chargers. Both spots were taken and neither the Leaf or the Volt In the spots were using the charger! They had about 8 other spots with legacy chargers. Spoke with the attendant and she said it's a common problem. They place notes on cars to no avail.

    Left Lot 1 and headed to Lot 6. Even worse, no J1772 chargers.

    Only great thing about LAX is the free electric car parking for up to 30 days.
     
  2. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    You probably don't want a confrontation, but it would seem that a note from another EV owner wanting to charge might have more impact than a note from the lot attendant. Something to the effect of "Excuse me, but you're taking up EV Only space while not charging your vehicle, and at the same time, preventing others from charging theirs. Please be more considerate." Seems like they need to post a sign at each spot stating "For Actively Charging Only"
     
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  3. mikenewmediary

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    I understand your frustration, but the perplexing thing to me is why California has charging stations everywhere, and very few in Massachussetts? We have all the championchip teams, Bruins,Pats,Celtics, and Redsox....but no charge.

    I was at a chilis, they had a charging station, but a toyota corrola was parked in the spot....

    Will i need a 250 ft. extension chord ?
     
  4. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    There ought to be a law...
     
  5. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    I thought there was a law against using the spot but not charging.

    Electric vehicles must be plugged in for recharging when parking in an EV-designated space.
     
  6. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Couldn't they just make the cord longer? No fair hogging the spot *and* the cord. Make the business end lock while charging, and unlock when it's done. Put the charger in the middle of an ev parking area, and share the cord(s). Somebody who needs a charge will spot the little green light on a car that's done, and take the cord to plug into their car.
     
  7. SimiPrius

    SimiPrius Member

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    Here you go....it is illegal if not plugged in....From the CA Vehicle Code

    22511. (a)( )1 A local authority, by ordinance or resolution, and ( )2 a person in lawful possession of an offstreet parking facility may designate stalls or spaces in an offstreet parking facility owned or operated by that local authority or person for the exclusive purpose of ( )3 charging and parking a vehicle that ( )4 is connected for electric charging purposes. ( )5
    (b) If posted in accordance with subdivision (d) or (e), the owner or person in lawful possession of a privately owned or operated offstreet parking facility, after notifying the police or sheriff’s department, may cause the removal of a vehicle from a stall or space designated pursuant to subdivision (a) in the facility to the nearest public garage if ( )6 the vehicle is not connected for electric charging purposes.
    (c) If posted in accordance with subdivision (d), the local authority owning or operating an offstreet parking facility, after notifying the police or sheriff’s department, may cause the removal of a vehicle from a stall or space designated pursuant to subdivision (a) in the facility to the nearest garage, as defined in Section 340, that is owned, leased, or approved for use by a public agency if ( )6 the vehicle is not connected for electric charging purposes.
    (d) The posting required for an offstreet parking facility owned or operated either privately or by a local authority shall consist of a sign not less than 17 by 22 inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height ( )7 that clearly and conspicuously states the following: "Unauthorized vehicles not ( )8 connected for electric charging purposes will be towed away at owner’s expense. Towed vehicles may be reclaimed at
     
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  8. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    One would think that the parking control folks at LAX would be aware of, and enforce, this law.:rolleyes:
     
  9. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    The California Vehicle Code sounds problematic to me. I don't think charging stations plugs are usually lockable, so anyone can disconnect it at which point it can be towed according to the CA Vehicle Code.
     
  10. Sandiegomom

    Sandiegomom New Member

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    Seriously?? How, where? You just upped the value of my Pip by quite a bit :)
     
  11. UCBRUINS

    UCBRUINS Member

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    Yes! Make sure to park at Lot 1 or 6. They asked for my DL as I was leaving and that's it. From the LAX site:

    Electric Vehicle Parking
    Free parking is available for electric vehicles only at charging stations located in the lower/arrivals level of Parking Structures 1 and 6 for up to a maximum of 30 days per visit.

    No free parking privilege is available for Clean-fuel, Natural Gas-fueled and/or bi-fuel vehicles.



    There must have been 30-40 EVs parked. I thought about pulling up to the Volt and extendIng the charger to my car but I would have been blocking the entrance and it didn't look long enough anyway.

    I guess the whole concept of parking your EV at the airport is flawed anyway. One would assume the average person charging their car at the airport is flying out of town. So they would hook up and catch a flight, especially if charging takes over 5 hours.
     
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  12. Sandiegomom

    Sandiegomom New Member

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    In addition to occasional trips where I get a great fare that make it worth the drive, I am at LAX several times a year for a few hours each time (my son flies unaccompanied to visit his dad, and LAX is the only So Cal option for a nonstop flight). I will get 2x the bonus now... free parking AND carpool lane. You made my night :)
     
  13. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    Hm, I would have thought that the Prius Plug-in and Volt are bi-fuel vehicles and therefore don't qualify. If they aren't bi-fuel vehicles, then what exactly is a bi-fuel vehicle?
     
  14. UCBRUINS

    UCBRUINS Member

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    Bi-fuel vehicles are vehicles with multifuel engines capable of running on two fuels. On internal combustion engines one fuel is gasoline or diesel, and the other is an alternate fuel such as natural gas (CNG), LPG, or hydrogen.
    Bi-fuel vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


    SandiegoMom - I'm glad my trip to LAX resulted in your learning about the free parking. It is a nice perk!
     
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  15. Jetsurgn

    Jetsurgn Junior Member

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    I work at LAX and I'm looking forward to parking for free. I wish they had more charging spots, its frustrating they don't.
     
  16. surfinjoe

    surfinjoe Member

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    Is there anything like this at San Diego's airport?
     
  17. Sandiegomom

    Sandiegomom New Member

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    They have charging stations but you don't park for free.
     
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  18. UCBRUINS

    UCBRUINS Member

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    Made a return trip to LAX for one more shot. The Volt is still there and of course not hooked up. The only other charger that works for the PiP was taken by the new BMW 1 Series EV.

    This time a bit more determined, I pulled up next to the Volt as close as possible and made it work! Had to call the manufacturer to get it activated remotely. They are also sending me a key for future use.

    I have pics and info for anyone interested to call. I'll post it all tonight.
     
  19. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    The best solution is to put a lock gate to the charging spot, PHEV and EV drivers can ask the attendance to get the key to the parking spot. Fine and towing warning won't do it.
     
  20. UCBRUINS

    UCBRUINS Member

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    I charged at home (from complete discharge) for 1 hour using 120v and had 5miles available on the battery.

    Using the 240v at the airport, after charging for 1 hour, I had 9 miles available.

    Go to this link and register (free)for a smart key to start/stop the charger: http://www.chargepoint.net/

    You can also download ther iphone app that lets you locate a charger.

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