Tesla “Takes Action”: 40 Cents/Minute Charge To Stop Supercharger Hogging

This is a great policy!
I'd love to see free lvl 2 public chargers do this as well.

I am sure some people will try find ways to game the system. But I think this will help overall.

 

how do they track how long you are parked there, video cams?

 

Great idea and second doing this on the L2 charging as well.

Our local shopping mall has two level 2 charging stations. These used to be free, so squatting was the norm. Things initially got better when they starting charging $0.30/kWh. But with holidays and the mall getting more popular in general, some park but do not charge as the charging station spots are located in a prime parking area. On top of this, many others do plug-in, but then stay plugged-in for a couple hours after and don't move their vehicles.

 

No need, they know when you are charging, and when you are plugged in but not charging. They simply start the Fee when the charge is complete but you are still plugged in.

 

what if you like the parking spot and unplug and leave it there?

 

Someone will eventually get real annoyed and take their own action.

 

i see it all the time at the local whole foods. how much time can you spend in there?

 

You could speak to the Whole Foods manager if you suspect people of abusing their generosity. I'm sure they don't want to give electric away.

As to Superchargers, the only ones I've seen where at the Delaware House rest stop on interstate 95, and they were far from any good parking spots.

 

At Menlo Park Mall the superchargers are located in "Booneyville"--an overflow lot that I'm sure only saw use during the Christmas season. It is a good location if you want to stay away from everyone else and hike to the mall. It would make a good location for a Prius meet.

Do the squatters at the charging stations get a lump of coal from Santa? Time to update the song: He knows when you are charging. He knows when you just squat...

 

Concur with others here. Tesla superchargers I have seen are typically in non-prime parking spots that require some walking distance to neighboring establishments, not typically very close to the establishment entrance.

In the case of Tesla supercharging, once one were to desire to unplug his/her vehicle, would expect that person to only want to make the trip back to the vehicle once - presumably to leave.

In my experience, level-2 charging stations tend to have the opposite issue where they are more likely to be close to the entrance of an establishment given pre-existing electrical access conveniences/costs.

 

You certainly could do that.
The only reason I see doing that is to be a jerk though.
If a person is simply lazy, most of the time it is easier to unplug AND move the car closer to the store you are visiting.

In CA, any vehicle that is not plugged in can be towed.
I expect laws such as that to spread as plugin vehicles get more common.

 

ya, i was thinking more along the lines of L2's at stores, shopping centers, restaurants and etc. and yes, there are plenty of jerks, unfortunately. in a few years, there will be hundreds of thousands more ev's, and hopefully more chargers.

 

Actually, there are only a few jerks.
There are a number of people who are inconsiderate, others that are lazy.
If it is easier for them to move the car, they will.

As for L2s in prime parking spots, yes, those are a problem if free, and less so even if not due to ICE vehicles.

 

personally, i'd rather the chargers in the back of the parking lots. but maybe they're out front for promo.

 

Yep, they need to be placed in undesirable parking spots in the back.
The reason many are in front is pretty simple though.
Up front is where it is closest to the power.

Running a 50-200Amp conduit out to the back of the parking lot is expensive, and disruptive.
Putting it up front is cheap (relatively) and quick.

 

The space will re-open as soon as someone calls a tow truck.

 

Just wish more people would be considerate. Never had the guts to report these things, somehow feel like that makes me a bad guy even though its the right thing. Plus, not sure how serious law enforcement will take this.

 

That's when they'll take MORE action. Examples? Maybe hire a bunch of 'Vinnie' - the knuckle dragger. Or, more realistic, enable vallet mode. car starts, and moves aside. They've gotten pretty fancy in that regard. Consider the self driving video for example;

And who cares if the car can't find a spot to park within the same 2 blocks. Beats getting a beating from Vinnie. And heck - you can afford to be driving a Tesla? I say raise the fee to a $1/minute !!

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The city wants the revenue