I like this idea. That spot is for charging, not free parking near the front of a building access. I wish ChargePoint does this too. I bet my workplace will have cars stop parking for the sake of getting a prime parking spot... and of most places too.
Chargepoint does something similar at the Target store chargers in Davis, CA. The first 2hrs is free. After that your account gets charged. It's unfortunate this needs to happen but it's the only way to reduce leeching and charger hogging.
I think this is, in general, a good idea. But there needs to be something like a 30 minute grace period. I've only used a Blink station once or twice...but ChargePoint over 1000 times (mostly at work). With ChargePoint you get a text message and/or email 15 minutes after it is done. You should get another 15-30 minutes after that if you are at a mall, restaurant, etc. Mike
New email from Blink: A few days ago, we announced that we would be implementing post charging occupancy fees on Blink-owned Level 2 charging stations. As a result, we received a great deal of feedback, both positive and negative. While we understand that not everyone will be supportive of the new policy, we do understand that the new fees may not be practical at all locations. Therefore, in order to review the charger locations more carefully, we have chosen to delay the implementation of the new charger occupancy fees. Mike
with 10 chargepoint stalls and a six story parking structure, our company finds that it has a competing interest with employees NOT moving their plugins. On many days, there simply isn't enough parking spots for everyone. That means if you're done charging, you try to park elsewhere but can't find a new parking location - you have to drive to a remote parking lot. So - how many employers don't mind their workers driving off property and having to hike back to work, several days per week ... multiply that, times a few dozen employees? I avoid the company's charging quandary by starting work at 5am. Irony of irony, the biggest policy complainers seem to be the plugins that only need about 90 minutes to charge. .
If an employer provides EV charging (especially free) it is difficult to go to "them" and complain. But I have. The issue is that "they" think they are doing a great job by providing the free chargers. But they install them in a silly way. For example, we recently got two new ChargePoint pedestals with 2 charging ports each. But they are located in adjacent parking spaces. So there are a total of 4 spaces on one side and two on the other that a parked car can be reached. If they would have spaced the chargers out (8 more feet of trenching for one) we could fit 2 or 3 more cars. Properly arranged, one cable can reach 4-6 Leafs or 4 Prius (a couple may need to back in). Then their would be less need to move vehicles mid day. When we had a total of 3 chargers and 8 EVs I made a drawing of how new chargers should be arranged. Five more dual chargers have been installed in the same "wrong" way since then. We currently have 50+ EVs/PHEVs. Dumb! (Not a big deal where I work since I can usually find a spot within 100-200 feet...its just the walk out to the lot to move, sometimes twice per day.) Mike
I was disappointed when I saw the follow up email from Blink saying they were stepping down, but realistically their rates are so high I haven't used them once anyways (even with my LEAF). This policy should be turned on by default, with the station owners being able to decide to disable it if they choose (such as for employers). Once your vehicle is done charging, let someone else use the charger, or don't use the spot in the first place.
