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AIBU?

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Original poster

Electric vehicle parking spaces

153 replies

CanIExtend · 25/10/2023 20:37

Is it reasonable to park a non EV in an EV parking space?

the ones near me have quite a lot of extra space around them as they were previously disabled and parent and child parking. And are much more convenient than where the disabled and parent/child spaces have been relocated to.

are these spaces protected as per disability spaces? Or are they viewed as more of a courtesy as per parent/child spaces?

YABU - EV spaces should be for EV’s only
YANBU - EV spaces are a courtesy like P&C spaces and it’s just unfortunate if an EV is unable to use the space.

OP posts:
AsWrittenBy · 25/10/2023 21:00

I suppose that if only ev can park in the ev spaces, they won't mind not parking in the non ev spaces?

Yes I know.... I'm being facetious but if spaces are being removed, or prioritised, then how is it fair for us who cannot afford to buy an ev?

Fifireee · 25/10/2023 21:03

My neighbour is a cab driver and has an electric car. The spaces near us are always full of non Electric cars. He gets so upset.
Of course you can't park in one. It's idiotic to think you can.

TBOM · 25/10/2023 21:04

They’re paying to park there. They don’t get to charge for free. So yes YABU.

Pix56 · 25/10/2023 21:04

Heatherbell1978 · 25/10/2023 21:00

And once again for the people in the back, they are for CHARGING, NOT PARKING. Wow.

Show quote history

😂

RedRiverShore4 · 25/10/2023 21:04

You should only park in one if you are charging, they are not proper parking spaces

Tealtoffee · 25/10/2023 21:09

We have an EV - we only park in those spaces whilst charging - then you often get charged idling fees - for parking whilst fully charged. In our local car park you would receive a fine for parking a non EV car in an EV spot.

Sirzy · 25/10/2023 21:10

I have been annoyed recently at a few local places removing disabled bays for EV charging points without putting in any extra disabled spaces.

I have never used the EV parking spaces but there is an interesting argument with regards reasonable adjustment for those who have blue badges - I’m guessing if a BB holder did park in one of those spaces and fought a fine they would win.

Original poster
CanIExtend · 25/10/2023 21:10

Pix56 · 25/10/2023 20:58

I do in a supermarket if the parent and child spaces are full. When supermarkets start enforcing the p&c spaces, maybe I'll stop using the ev bays.

This is where I’m coming from. I’m just trying to understand why people can get so outraged at someone using/abusing an EV space yet simultaneously get outraged at someone expecting a PC space to be used appropriately

OP posts:
splothersdog · 25/10/2023 21:11

But fuel pumps aren’t usually found next to parking spaces.

Did you have to duck to miss the low flying point?

THEY AREN’T PARKING SPACES - THEY ARE CHARGING POINTS.

If you want to use one buy an EV car.

sleepyscientist · 25/10/2023 21:11

You are in effect paying for the parking in the ridiculous charging costs. In our local city if you park a EV in one and don't plug it in you will get a ticket through the post.

WingBingo · 25/10/2023 21:11

@CanIExtend your logic isn’t working there. There are alternative spaces to park in.

I’m not parking , I am charging my car.

Ssme92 · 25/10/2023 21:12

If an EV space is being abused, the person can't charge their car!!! It's comparable to parking onfront of petrol pumps and fucking off to do shopping as someone up above said. I don't have an EV, I never ever consider parking in one! (but FWIW i hate when people abuse parent and child spaces too!)

TBOM · 25/10/2023 21:12

CanIExtend · 25/10/2023 21:10

This is where I’m coming from. I’m just trying to understand why people can get so outraged at someone using/abusing an EV space yet simultaneously get outraged at someone expecting a PC space to be used appropriately

Show quote history

@CanIExtend EV bays aren’t free. EV users are paying for their use. If you want to park in one, pay for the parking. Otherwise park in the free bays like everyone else.

MrsAvocet · 25/10/2023 21:16

They are charging bays and people will be paying to use them. Some chargers charge an additional fee if you don't unplug when the battery is full, so basically fine you for using the space if you stay longer than you need to. Though unless you didn't really need to charge in the first place that would be pretty unlikely to happen with a typical supermarket charger unless you are a very, very slow shopper!
Parking in a charging bay if you are not charging is unreasonable whether you are in an ICE vehicle or an EV. It's very much like leaving your car obstructing a petrol pump - as well as inconveniencing other drivers you are potentially preventing the company making sales. There are a couple of fast chargers in a local McDonald's and they make people move if they see anyone parked there who isn't charging as presumably they have some kind of financial arrangement with the charger company and want them to be making money.

Luckysmum · 25/10/2023 21:22

When at work I pay to charge my car then move it in my lunch break once it is fully charged. I have seen lots of cars get tickets for being parked in charging bays and not actively charging.

curlymom · 25/10/2023 21:22

I drive ev and only park in the spot if I’m charging and then move,
it’s selfish to park there and not charge, someone might need to charge to get home so spaces should not be abused. Wardens ticket in my area and I’m glad

scrivette · 25/10/2023 21:24

Spaces are for charging not parking.

You might see someone sitting in their car whilst they are charging as they are using the space to charge up their car so they can continue on their journey.

Not everyone has a space at home and so use EV spaces to charge their car. By parking in a space you are stopping someone from being able to put 'fuel' in their car.

You wouldn't park in a petrol station next to a pump and then wander around the shops for an hour or so. This is no different.

TheTyrannyOfChoice · 25/10/2023 21:29

Pix56 · 25/10/2023 20:58

I do in a supermarket if the parent and child spaces are full. When supermarkets start enforcing the p&c spaces, maybe I'll stop using the ev bays.

Some other people act like arseholes so I’ll act like an arsehole as well. Genius logic.

EdithWeston · 25/10/2023 21:29

The thread title shows a fairly major misunderstanding.

They're not parking spaces.

They're chargers.
Only cars that are actually being charged should be there.

Just as only cars that are filling up stop next to a petrol pump.

Hotcrossbunnowplease · 25/10/2023 21:31

I think you should only park there if you’re charging but if there’s no other spaces, I have been known to charge my car even if it doesn’t really need it (we have a driveway charger) just so I can park there…

GladysHeeler · 25/10/2023 21:31

would people with EVs be expected to move their car to a regular space once charging was complete even if they were still shopping for a few hours?

Yes. It's actually a bit of a pain. My car has an app so at least I know when it's finished.

People will park across cars that aren't charging and make a queue.

Daveismyhero · 25/10/2023 21:33

CanIExtend · 25/10/2023 20:55

But as people who complain about people using a parent and child spaces are often told - it was your choice to buy an EV have children and that’s the risk that you take

Show quote history

The difference is though, you don't pay extra for a parent and child bay but we pay to plug into the EV charging stations. It's really annoying when you're desperate for a charge and there's a none EV vehicle in the already very limited spaces. Additionally, while not being able to access a parent and child bay is a pain, not being able to use it isn't potentially going to mean you can't make it home. Although I disagree that they converted disabled bays into EV bays, these should be priority really

Nevermind31 · 25/10/2023 21:42

CanIExtend · 25/10/2023 20:51

These spaces are part of the car park at the shopping/leisure center

would people with EVs be expected to move their car to a regular space once charging was complete even if they were still shopping for a few hours?

Yes. You get fined if you overstay

TBOM · 25/10/2023 21:43

GladysHeeler · 25/10/2023 21:31

would people with EVs be expected to move their car to a regular space once charging was complete even if they were still shopping for a few hours?

Yes. It's actually a bit of a pain. My car has an app so at least I know when it's finished.

People will park across cars that aren't charging and make a queue.

Yes they’re absolutely expected to move - and in my local car park people not only block them in if their aren’t charging but they report the cars that aren’t charging. And ANPR makes it very easy to then fine those drivers.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 25/10/2023 21:44

We have a mini tesco with petal station. The pumps are close to the store the parking bays are behind the pumps. No idea about p&c spaces as mine are grown.

If I need to buy something from Tesco I am not going to pull my EV up at a pump and pop into the the shop as it is closer, has more space around it etc… Every one wanting to use the pump would be pissed off by the clearly dickish move. if a ICE went to the mini Tesco for food and not fuel - they still don’t park at the pump.

Same with EV charging points. If I don’t need to charge I don’t park there.

Why is this so tricky for some to understand?