Drivers Hogging Electric Spaces in Illinois May Get Ticketed

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

An Illinois bill that would make it illegal to park a gasoline-powered car in an electric car charging spot is awaiting the governor’s signature, Green Car Reports writes.

The practice, also called ICE-ing, would net a $75-$100 ticket for the offending car owner in Illinois.

The electric vehicle charging spot would need to be clearly marked, the bill states. The bill would also make it legal to tow a car from an electric vehicle parking spot, whether in a public place or private garage.

According to the bill’s sponsor, Illinois State Rep. Robyn Gabel, a constituent called her to complain about the practice and that’s what prompted the statewide measure. (Find your state legislator here.)

Several municipalities have already outlawed the practice and there’s a Facebook group dedicated to sharing pictures of reported “ICE-holes.”

In 2012, a Fox News story asked aloud if the parking stations were a perk or privilege and quoted a driver in St. Paul, Minnesota, who said electric vehicle owners could be incapacitated because of the car they’ve purchased.

“This makes me think drivers of electric cars must be a little disabled,” one customer who didn’t want to give his name to FoxNews.com. “They are usually health freaks, so I wonder why they don’t mind walking a half-mile back to a charging station.”


Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

More by Aaron Cole

Comments
Join the conversation
9 of 78 comments
  • Steve Lynch Steve Lynch on Jul 27, 2015

    Ditto the Tesla charging station at the Carl's Jr. on I-8 in scenic Gila Bend, AZ, always empty when I pass by.

  • BuzzDog BuzzDog on Jul 27, 2015

    Nice fish decal on the back of that Sebring. How much you want to bet that sweet, Christian driver parks in handicapped spots, too?

  • Hummer Hummer on Jul 27, 2015

    What is this, be smug day? Whose to say it wasn't a 70 year old lady going for ice cream with her grandchildren. Tesla isn't a household name, I could go to a college campus and ask 20 students before I found someone that knew what a Tesla in the automotive sense is. Half the people riding past those stations probably think it's a car vacuum. You chose to be different, you have to put up with the consequences, and believe me, I don't say that in a negative way.

    • See 4 previous
    • Hummer Hummer on Jul 28, 2015

      @VenomV12 Outside of a few hotspots, Tesla is not well known, I don't ride past a Tesla dealership, see ads, nor do I see more than maybe 1 example on the street in a given month. It's a niche within a niche, yea I doubt I could go through 20 people at Berkley, but at UNC, or any college outside of the 3 states lining the contiguous west coast? Very, very likely that many, not into cars, would have a puzzled look.

  • Bob Bob on Jul 28, 2015

    I do this all the time at the Aurora, IL train station. I park in the EV spot and hook up my cavaliers trickle charger with an extension cord. I'm charging a battery.

Next