Don't be an ICEhole.

When you own an EV, you feel freedom in many new forms. Freedom from gas stations. Freedom from contributing to air pollution on the road. Freedom from the guilt that you are contributing to the complete and total depletion of the earth's fossil fuel supply.

However, you do experience a new kind of limitation. In fact, it's a new sort of entrapment.

You cannot go anywhere if you cannot charge your car.

Now of course, I drive a Volt which is an EREV (extended range electrical vehicle) - so I am never REALLY trapped. However, I have committed to using as little gas as possible and so far, that's been almost nothing. In fact, the three gallons of gas I have used since May 30 were burned largely on purpose to get rid of some of the 87 octane fuel (I'm guessing) that is currently inhabiting my premium-fuel-only tank. At some point I'll burn off the rest of it.

But I digress.

When I drive up to a building and see something like this...

... it's annoying. In case you cannot tell, there are three non-electric vehicles parked in three of the four EV charging spaces. Yes I now, the Honda Insight LOOKS like it's an innovative electric vehicle, but it's actually a non-plug-in hybrid. At least the Nissan Leaf got to charge, which is good, because the Leaf doesn't have an extended range option and might not have been able to get home otherwise.

But you don't have to park in an EV spot with your ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle to be an ICEhole. Check this one out:

This photo, which I got from the ICEholes Shaming page on Facebook (yes, there is such a thing), clearly depicts an ICEhole who doesn't care if that Volt's driver is going to be able to unplug to exit the parking garage.  What an ICEhole!

Here are a few gas guzzlers that think they are Teslas:

Joke's on them I guess? 

Now, there is another kind of charger-blocker that you can't really call an ICEhole... because it's an electric car. Most EV parking spots are clearly marked for EVs, but the majority don't specifically state that the EV parked there must be plugged in and charging. This guy clearly thinks that he should be able to park his $80,000 car in any EV spot, even if he doesn't need to charge:

Which is also NOT cool. Some people call this being an "EVhole". I think that sounds silly. But it's clearly bad manners and not being a good EV team player.

What can be done to reduce ICEhole-ism? Some states take a pretty harsh route. In these states, parking in an EV spot is illegal and can result in a ticket or a tow, including Washington, Colorado, and California, to name a few. Even some Texas cities have ordinances protecting parking spots designated as EV only. In Florida, the following ordinance took effect on July 1, 2012:

"It is unlawful for a person to stop, stand, or park a vehicle that is not capable of using an electric recharging station within any parking space specifically designated for charging a vehicle. If a law enforcement officer finds a motor vehicle in violation of this subsection, the officer or specialist shall charge the operator or other person in charge of the vehicle in violation with a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as provided in s. 316.008(4) or s. 318.18."

This is great and it may account for the fact that I have not encountered much ICEing in central Florida. Maybe this guy didn't get the memo:

No, I didn't take that photo, but there were plenty with Florida plates to pick from on the ICE shaming Tumblr. Enjoy!

Personally, being an educator, I prefer to see these situations as "teachable moments." One of the folks in the Facebook group developed this sign:

The photo is poor and the text is hard to read, so here is what it says:

"EV charging spaces are functional reserved spaces just like disabled drivers spaces, loading/taxi zones and bus stops. Blocking an EV charging space is not only inconsiderate, it is illegal in many areas.

Blocking an EV charging space is the equivalent of someone parking their car in front of a gas pump while they shop preventing you from filling up.

Please refrain from blocking this EV charging space or any other EV charging space in the future. 

Your vehicle information has been recorded and reported to the proper authorities.

You may face parking violations, fines and towing in the future.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation."

This one is is the one I prefer to use. I got it from the Blink website, even though there is only one Blink charger in all of Orlando, at Florida Mall, which I rarely would use:

I prefer the blue one at the bottom, but I've printed out several copies of all three, sliced them up individually, and have them in my glovebox for those warm and fuzzy occasions I might need to use one.

A fellow Voltarian from Facebook shared this one:

...which I'm going to print out today, laminate and put on my windshield, particularly at work and also when I park at places like Pointe Orlando where my car might keep another EV from charging while I'm watching the Jurassic Park sequel or something like that.

Please don't be an ICEhole. There's no need to take that spot. If you want to have the benefit of parking in a spot that close, here's a thought: get an EV. We'll be happy to welcome you to the club.