An electric car driver has been criticised for parking his car ‘horizontally’ at a charging station and denying other motorists access to the spot.
A photo of a white BYD was shared on Facebook on Monday, showing the car plugged into a charging station in the beachside suburb of Howrah in Hobart.
The empty car was parked perpendicular to the loading bays, preventing other drivers from driving and blocking two motorcycle parking spaces.
The bystander who took the photo vented his anger at the driver.
“Congrats to the person who managed to get his car into the right side charger yesterday, while parking across the left side charging spot. AND a few bonus spots for his motorcycle,” they wrote.
Social media users were quick to condemn the BYD driver.
“Don’t expect anyone who buys an electric car to have any sense,” one person wrote.
“The battery was probably completely dead and they had to move it there,” added another.
A photo of a white BYD (pictured) shows the car plugged into a charging station in the coastal suburb of Howrah in Hobart
“They are reducing population growth by taking up all the parking spaces, so that anyone with a normal car has nowhere to park,” was another response.
“To be fair, he drives an electric car, but self-esteem comes naturally to him,” wrote another.
The BYD driver’s selfish act and other similar recent incidents have raised questions about electric vehicle etiquette.
The motorist website Drive offered tips on the correct etiquette for EV owners.
For example, consider removing your car from the loading area and placing it in a normal parking space when your car is finished charging. This will prevent inconvenience to other drivers.
Leaving your vehicle on the charger for longer than necessary is called “camping.”
The NRMA offered other electric vehicle etiquette suggestionsincluding not parking non-electric vehicles at charging stations for electric vehicles.
“This practice is called ‘ICEing’ and refers to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles being parked in a specially marked charging spot for electric vehicles,” the website states.
The BYD driver’s selfish act and other similar recent incidents have raised questions about the etiquette surrounding electric vehicles. Pictured: An EV parked in multiple spots at a Queensland shopping centre in May
The NRMA said this creates the same frustration as an electric vehicle blocking a fuel pump.
Another tip: ‘Even if you think another driver has violated the rules regarding charging electric cars, it is still important to remain calm.’
The NRMA wrote that drivers should not be tempted to leave angry notes on the windscreen, shout at other drivers or attempt to disconnect their unattended vehicle from the charger.
A good etiquette tip is not to park across a charging station and block other parking spaces.