Why this photo of a Ford Ranger has sparked outrage among electric vehicle drivers
Electric vehicle owners have criticized a Ford Ranger driver for blocking a charging station and hiding the battery cable.
The ute took over the car park at the Sylvia Parks Shopping Center in Mount Wellington, south-east Auckland, in May.
A passerby uploaded a photo of the brutal act to Reddit, with the image showing the charging cable in the vehicle’s tray.
Hundreds of motorists have criticized the driver for his selfish act.
“These guys definitely think they’re funny because they bother people,” one person wrote.
The Ford Ranger took up a parking space (pictured) in front of the charging station at Sylvia Parks Shopping Centre, in Mount Wellington in south-east Auckland, last month
“He probably thinks he’s smart enough to start driving an electric car,” wrote another.
Others suggested the motorist was charging something in the covered container.
“There’s a chance he’s actually charging something there.” You can e-[motor] cycling with those chargers, someone wrote.
‘The LED [indicator lights] is GREEN, something in bed is charging. Probably a big solar generator,” another added.
“All those who jumped to conclusions and suggested destroying this person’s car or trying to publicly shame them, where are the excuses?”
Motorists condemned the driver’s action, but some defended the driver, saying they could charge an electrically powered source in the box (stock image)
Motorists in Australia who illegally occupy parking spaces for electric vehicles face hefty fines.
Gasoline car drivers stand to make up to $3,200 from the ACT.
The fine also applies to any vehicle parked in the space that is not connected to the charging cable.
The same offense carries a fine of $3,096 in Queensland, while motorists in NSW can be fined up to $2,200.
The New Zealand government passed new laws last year to penalize motorists who park in a spot that can only be used by electric vehicles.
An amendment has been made to the Land Transport (Road User) Rule.
The law states that “a driver or person in charge of a vehicle shall not stop, stationary or park the vehicle in a parking space reserved for electric vehicle charging.”
Motorists may only use the EV charging space if they own an electric vehicle.