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Plug-In Parking Abuse Hall of Shame: Post Pic's Here

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by hill, Mar 16, 2014.

  1. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    It seems like the Carl's Jr/ Walgreens public chargers don't get much use out of them by plug-in vehicles, and on top of it they're installed right in front of the entrance generally, so it makes sense for them to get ICE'd if no one uses them. The $1/hr prevents PHEV's with 3.3 kW chargers from using them in the first place. If they want more use, they need to say 50 cents/hr for 3.3 kW charging, $1/hr for 6.6 kW charging.
     
  2. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    many states' handicap laws require facilities to provide parking up close. Same with plugin driver's handicapped.... parking must be provided up front. So a charger installation is hard enough for shopkeepers to justify . You can be sure an owner doesn't want to have to pay to bust up his driveway and run power for 2 separate locations. That's one of the main problems with suggesting the EVSE stalls be way out in the boonies.

    If ice dricers 'justify' that its okay to park in the charging stall because its never used - well guess what, its then full all/most of the time, and therefore its never used - because it's filled with an ICE. That said - whether stalls are close, or way out there - you STILL find abusers blocking stalls that are way out in the boonies. Tesla, at some of their parking facilities have been providing huge cones to block the empty stalls and yet you still have that certain kind of person that will get out of their car move the cone to another empty slot and park there ICE in it anyways.
    .
     
    #42 hill, Aug 27, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2014
  3. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    It goes both ways. If EVs never use it, then ICE cars start parking there out of convenience, which prevents EVs from using it anyways. And it doesn't clearly show if those spots are marked as EV Only while Charging. The average person won't care or notice what that big screen in front of the parking spot is, unless there's a clear sign saying you'll be towed if not charging. EV spots need to be designated with a similar icon as Handicap spots are if you expect people not to park there.

    Also, I believe Blink chargers charge per hour, not per minute. According to the Blink website: "As a reminder, fees are rounded up to the next hour with a two-minute grace period at the beginning of each new hour." Blink - Membership FAQs
    Realistically, if you're going to eat fast food you won't be spending an hour (and 2 minutes) there, unless you really need a charge to get home.

    Here's something I've been curious about, does Chargepoint charger by minutes instead of full hour? Or do all of the networks charge by hour?
     
  4. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Chargepoint chargers bill by the minute, based on personal experience.
     
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  5. Fore

    Fore Don't look back!

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    And that’s why some countries don’t like or want to become Americans!
     
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  6. itsben

    itsben New Member

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    Aria Hotel 2nd level parking lot. Four spaces and three taken up by non-PiP. It was sad to see a Tesla parked few spaces away in a no parking area. Maybe he was waiting for a space to open up. I left after three hours and the same three cars were there. Aria Hotel.jpg
     
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  7. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    From personal experience- I'd say this is very true.
    It took a few months to "train" the regulars who work where I charge every morning. Now I hardly ever get ICE'd.
    It seems nobody ever used that particular Chargepoint station on a regular basis so it was viewed as just another ICE parking spot.

    Agreed- the current signage is lacking in many ways, but inconsiderate/self-important people still park in handicapped spots every day too, so we can't expect too much better just from improved signage...:(
     
  8. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    Inconsiderate/self-important people will park in the handicapped/EV spots regardless (unless they get ticketed on a consistent basis), but better signage will alert those who honestly don't know any better that those spots are reserved for EVs.
     
  9. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

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    If I'm not mistaken, Carl's Jr EV chargers are from Blink. They've just announced rate changes that continue to make their chargers uneconomical (as in, more expensive, sometimes DOUBLE, the price of gasoline). Let them go out of business.
     
  10. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    I think it depends on which Carl's Jr. It seems most (around me at least) are Blink, but some are Chargepoint. Yes, they announced changes to their pricing this morning (I received an email from them in the early hours), but it does not appear they are more affordable to use.

    There are definitely way too many Carl's Jr's by me. Don't get me wrong, growing up in SoCal I'm pretty used to fast food and actually like Carl's Jr. It's a shame they price their chargers too high for at least PHEVs to use. It would likely sway my decision on which fast food location to eat at if they were free/affordable. I don't think businesses are taking enough advantage of offering a bit of free electricity to get more business. The chargers were a fixed cost (and I'm pretty sure installed when grants were still available), so sure they would lose a bit of money on offering free electricity, but overall I would expect them to gain more in additional customer purchases (especially considering the amount of time people spend at fast food restaurants is not that long).
     
  11. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

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    I should have been more clear: Blink should go out of business.

    Off Topic: Carl's Jr.? I used to be a SuperStar fan, but in the early 1980s Carl's started using formed potato powder for their fries. Yuck. Since then, I've tried their "$6 burger" (at their flagship store in Anaheim by corporate HQ) and a couple of times at John Wayne airport. If there was In-n-Out, McDonalds, Burger King, and Carl's Jr on the corners of an intersection, Carl's would be a third choice behind In-n-Out and McDs.

    And that's all I have to say about that. :)
     
  12. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    I guess it depends on what you get. Obviously In-n-out would be #1 (I'm amazed they haven't raised their prices more compared to the rest), but McD's seems to have really raised their prices last time I went there. I still place Carl's Jr #2, and the other two I consider about the same crap (except for the fact that Burger King is now a Commy company by moving to Canada, so they get #4).

    I would compare the Big Mac to the Big Carl (I usually get the Big Carl), and find the Big Carl is significantly better than the Big Mac, and a bit cheaper too. Of course, when it comes down to food it's all a matter of opinions, to each their own :) Oh and for the fries, I generally just get a side salad instead (at least at Carl's, same price to substitute out fries).
     
  13. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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  14. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

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    Not out of town. Still in a traditional Prius at that time. But there's no question in my mind that Blink has the most usurious chargers in the country.
     
  15. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Don't worry El Dobro . . . . there ARE folks out there that WILL meet your lowest expectations:

    [​IMG]

    Hey ... some states allow you to pull 'double trailers' . . . . so stay tuned.
    :eek:

    btw ... here's another hummer doing what hummers seem to love doing. At least he's not parked length wise:

    [​IMG]

    but you DO gotta give 'em cudo's .... for managing to make sure that NO plug in can reach by simply parking near by, as he's taking up two spots. This is why I carry an extension cord ... for just this kind of person.

    oh ... and here's a fun one .... as an 'X' range rover owner:

    [​IMG]

    I din't know they came in a plugin version
    :confused:
    .
     
    #55 hill, Sep 13, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2014
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  16. DaneH5

    DaneH5 Member

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    You have to use a credit card at the chargers in my area. Is that normal?
     
  17. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    Hmm the tires on that h2 look new and expensive...it'd be a shame if they spontaneously deflated....all at once
     
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  18. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    they are probably runflats and would most likely take out the chargers in question even if flattened.

    Now the van with trailer looks to me to be a local tesla repair man.
     
  19. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    absolutely not . . . that's a squatter - pure & simple. Note how slick a true Tesla maintenance vehicle looks in comparison :

    [​IMG]
    Everything about Tesla is top notch. It won't look like a gypsy caravan came to town when Tesla maintenance pulls in . . .
    But .... I find it especially intriguing how many folks will instantly presume that it really can't be as bad as it facially looks (when charge stalls get blocked) ... either that or folks are just way more naive at grasping how self centered some drivers can be. Even PiP's do it .... pull in to just park - but not charge. (please don't say, "oh .... I bet the PiP just forgot". . . EVSE's seldom get ICE'd when the EVSE is out in the south 40)
    ;)
    .
     
    #59 hill, Sep 14, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2014
  20. evfinder

    evfinder Member

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    Since today is the start of drive electric week I was trying to drive electric this week but that didn't happen. I went to the Beverly Hills public library and all four charging spots were occupied. Two of the cars were connected to the charger although it looked like a Fusion Energi had already completed charged. The other two cars, a Leaf and a Volt were not connected. I think the problem is that the Chargers are Chargepoint and they have the a Level 1 charger and a level 2 but the level 1 outlet is hidden behind a door an people don't know it's there so they just park not knowing they are blocking a charger. There are signs all over saying that if you park and are not charging the car will be ticketed and/or towed but parking enforcement don't appear to enforce this. Sorry I didn't get a chance to get any pictures

    The ICE came on just before I got to the lot on Beverly Drive but one of the level 2 chargers was available so I got a nice charge while I went about my business.