Tesla Model Y Struggles at Supercharger Station in Orlando
Considering how prolific electric vehicles are nowadays, it may seem like incidents of ICE-ing, or the deliberate (or inadvertent) blocking of EV charging stalls by combustion-powered cars, is a thing of the past. As it turns out, however, this was not necessarily the case, as experienced by a Tesla Model Y owner.
Delays at a Supercharger Station
As per the Model Y owner in a post on the r/TeslaModelY subreddit, the Supercharger station in question was in the Disney area of Orlando, Florida. His vehicle only had about 11% of its battery left when he pulled up to the Supercharger, and the next charger was still about 26 minutes away. Thus, the Model Y owner, as well as other Tesla drivers, were looking forward to a quick charging session.
Unfortunate Situation for Tesla Owners
Unfortunately for the Model Y owner, as well as several other Tesla drivers at the charging station, all of the Supercharger’s stalls were ICE-ed out by other vehicles. As observed by the EV owner in his post on Reddit, there didn’t seem to be any security patrolling in the area, and there were seemingly no signs warning drivers that their vehicles could be towed if they blocked EV charging stalls.
Legal Ramifications for ICE-ing
Interestingly enough, the 2012 Florida Statutes include specific sections that warn against the practice of blocking dedicated electric vehicle charging stalls. The laws state that it is unlawful for a person to stop, stand, or park a vehicle that is not capable of using an electrical recharging station within any parking space specifically designated for charging an electric vehicle.
Overcoming the Obstacles
Because the entire Supercharger station had been ICE-ed, the Tesla Model Y owner opted to charge his all-electric crossover in an unorthodox manner. As can be seen in images that were shared online, the Tesla owner ended up driving over the curb just so his Model Y could reach a Supercharger cable. It was a crude solution to the ICE-ing issue, but it worked. The Model Y owner noted that as he left the Supercharger station, he saw another Tesla backing into the curb to charge.
Calls for Action and Collaboration
Reactions from the EV community to the incident are varied, with some noting that Tesla should probably come up with a way to inform drivers if Supercharger stalls are ICE-ed. Others noted that the electric vehicle maker should probably put more effort into collaborating with law enforcement to prevent instances of ICE-ing more assertively. Such suggestions may have some merit, especially considering that the Supercharger Network is now being opened in North America to all automakers which have opted to embrace the North American Charging Standard (NACS).
Conclusion
The incident experienced by the Model Y owner highlights how ICE-ing can still be a problem, even with the increasing popularity and prevalence of electric vehicles. It brings attention to the need for better enforcement of laws against blocking electric vehicle charging stalls, as well as the need for innovative solutions and collaborations to address this issue. As EV adoption continues to rise, combating ICE-ing will become even more crucial in ensuring a smooth charging experience for all electric vehicle owners.
Analyst comment
Neutral news. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of ICE-ing, where combustion-powered cars block EV charging stalls. There are calls for better enforcement of laws and collaboration between Tesla and law enforcement. As EV adoption rises, addressing ICE-ing becomes crucial to ensure a smooth charging experience for all EV owners. Market impact: Potential for increased demand for solutions to prevent ICE-ing and improve EV charging infrastructure.
