[artgpo]

In planning for a long road trip I am trying to check out EA stations along our route. The first day of our trip we have a long drive between "fill ups". At the end of this stretch is a Love's truck stop with an EA station on property. Using both EA and PlugShare web sites it appears that it is VERY common for non EVs to be parking in the four EA spots essentially Icing these for EVs in need of a charge. I have contacted EA Customer Service about my concern. The agent with whom I spoke told me "Electrify America takes Icing as a very troubling concern. We always escalate these calls on our end to senior management". Well, guess what, according to PlugShare, complaints have been made months before my call and Icing continues here. I have even written to Love's Customer Service via a form on their website but have yet to receive a response. When I continue to check this location on EA it usually indicates no charging on any of the four stations for up to three days prior. As this station is along IH-40 I would expect at least one EV in three days?

All this is deeply troubling because if we get Iced here we are very deep doo-doo. There are no other stations either on the route prior or nearby to get us to the next EA (or any other) for many miles. There is no alternative route to mitigate running into this problem.

 

[cosev]

Which location is this? The good news is that shopping trips at truck stops are usually pretty short, so I doubt you’d have to wait long for someone to leave even if all spots were ICEd.

 

[artgpo]

Which location is this? The good news is that shopping trips at truck stops are usually pretty short, so I doubt you’d have to wait long for someone to leave even if all spots were ICEd.

In the comments for this location it mentioned in several post that the Icing vehicles belong to employees. Erick, OK location

 

[cosev]

Only you can decide if the hassle/stress is worth it, but the station has a rating of 10, indicating that people are successful in charging even if it takes the hassle of asking managers to get employees to move their vehicles. If you're so inclined, you can help make things better by making a purchase and keeping interactions friendly. (honey gets more flies than vinegar and all that )

I haven't used that particular station, but I've made quite a few electric road trips through OK, CO and UT and have never been stranded for what it's worth. Final thought - there's a Francis Energy station about 30 miles away in Elk City - you'd have to pay, but it's a fast charging backup. I've used Francis Energy and found them reliable.

 

[Nai3t]

Nobody is going to report that they weren't blocked from a spot, unless they are just checking in on Plugshare.

You're prepared, so go drive it, and desl with it when it is a problem. There is no point in trying to deal with it now.

On my recent TX NM AZ CA drive not a single blocked space at any of the 17 DCFCs I visited, and only one other EV.

I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[SlyEV]

I just looked at this location on a map and it looks like there's plenty of grass to park in behind the chargers too.

 

[artgpo]

We will be headed toward Tucumcari and Albuquerque after Erick. Plenty of EA stations on that route.

I very much appreciate the comments and hope if there are any more please post. I read all.

 

[artgpo]

I just looked at this location on a map and it looks like there's plenty of grass to park in behind the chargers too. View attachment 5355

That is an old picture as it does not show the completed EA station. Plugshare has some recent photos. As was suggested I will wait until I am there to worry.

 

[ARob]

If it is employees parking in those spots, EA has some solid arguments in pursuing this. But if it goes unreported, they wont know a problem exists.

Most likely, they lease space from Loves and I would be surprised if there isn't a clause about restricting use of the leased space.

It is unfortunate EA put these in the spots closest to the store. The transformers appear to be in an area that is farther from the store and less likely to be ICE'd.

 

[Spin]

If they are iced it would probably be good if it is an employee because I'm sure they would be happy to move.

 

[EVone]

In the comments for this location it mentioned in several post that the Icing vehicles belong to employees. Erick, OK location

Just have them towed (as long as it says EV Parking only)...you really need to know (often times posted) in the parking lots which towing company handles that lot.

 

[dougcpa]

Just have them towed (as long as it says EV Parking only)...you really need to know (often times posted) in the parking lots which towing company handles that lot.

Only the property owner would be able to legally initiate a tow. You can't just drive up to someone else's property and call a towing company and get a vehicle towed. And the property owner may have legal issues initiating a tow as well if there is no signage indicating you can be towed for parking there.

If the spots were ICE'd I'd check to see if someone is sitting in the car and if so just politely ask them if they could move so you could charge. Otherwise I'd just go into the store to check if it is employees. If its an employee I'm sure they would go out and move their car. If it isn't employees and no one is in the car then as another stated, people aren't going to be at a c-store for hours, so I'd expect a spot to open up within 15 minutes.

 

[EVone]

Only the property owner would be able to legally initiate a tow. You can't just drive up to someone else's property and call a towing company and get a vehicle towed.

Yeah I had our Local CITY parking lot (City EV Station) in mind when I posted.. Some dipwad kept blocking it everyday ..I eventually called and had him towed.


I also initiated getting the City to install Charging limited to 4 Hour signs ...so thats Posted.

We have a Tesla Driver that think it's his personal charger.