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Hybrid Only Parking!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ronhowell, Apr 17, 2008.

  1. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    Hi All,

    I was amazed today when visiting one of the new "Fresh & Easy" mini-markets recently established by Tesco, the British supermarket giant, here in Southern California, to see a couple of parking spaces with signs indicating that they were reserved for hybrid vehicles only!

    This is the first time I have seen any such hybrid preference at a supermarket. Could this be the start of a trend? If so, how can they enforce it?
    I have to point out that the "Fresh & Easy" stores that Tesco initiated here about 6 months ago, to great fanfare, have been doing a less than a land office business. They are similar in concept to the "Trader Joe" chain, but so far appear to have attracted far less business. So when I visited there was plenty of parking available, making the hybrid preference redundant. Still, it'll be interesting to see if this idea catches on.

    ron.
     
    #1 ronhowell, Apr 17, 2008
  2. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    that would be sweet...i was wishin for this when i got my Prius...drivin my friends around, i'd say "where the hell is the hybrid parking".....their response...."we're not in Hillcrest.." (those of u San Diego folks know what that means) low blow, low blow guys
     
    #2 sdtundra, Apr 17, 2008
  3. Grunthos

    Grunthos Senior Azgoth Poetmaster

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    They can only enforce it if the laws in your area allow them to enforce it. (I would tend to guess that there are no such laws.)
     
    #3 Grunthos, Apr 17, 2008
  4. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    Hmmm. I was have second thoughts of parking in such a place. I would fear Prius envy. My Prius gets enough scratches on its own. Oh well that is just me. They should have special parking spots reserved for new cars though. :)
     
    #4 Austin50mpg, Apr 17, 2008
  5. fed123

    fed123 Member

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    In my town, Maplewood, New Jersey, hybrids get nice discounts on parking permits.
     
    #5 fed123, Apr 17, 2008
  6. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Fry's in my town has two spots reserved for "Electric Vehicle Only". I park my Prius there, as other Prius owners do. But sometimes I see regular cars parked there too. When I asked about it, the management said they couldn't enforce the rule, that the spots were originated by Fry's stores in California and didn't really apply to Texas nohow.
     
    #6 zenMachine, Apr 17, 2008
  7. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    we have a hand full of retailers that have "EV parking" only spots with plug in outlets to boot...

    needless to say, i go out of my way to support those retailers...(although ones like Costco i had already shopped at anyway)
     
    #7 DaveinOlyWA, Apr 17, 2008
  8. JRMurray

    JRMurray Magnetic Gray is the only way!

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    Ikea Canada has had two "green" parking spaces at each location since 2007.

    The press release is here: IKEA | Press Release
     
    #8 JRMurray, Apr 18, 2008
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