Posted on 01/02/2019 3:09:13 PM PST by Responsibility2nd
Forget "rolling coal." A new trend called "ICE-ing," in which pickup truck owners purposefully block electric vehicle charging stations, appears to be gaining ground around the country.
The practice, whose name is derived from "internal combustion engine," was observed over the holidays at a Sheetz gas station in Hickory, N.C.
Reddit user Leicina shared a photo on Dec. 23, 2018, of three large pickups blocking access to Tesla Inc. charging stations. The drivers apparently chanted "----Tesla."
"I've never had a supercharging experience like this one," wrote Leicina, who owns a Tesla Model 3. "These trucks blocked all the chargers, chanted 'F' Tesla, and were kicked out by a Sheetz employee."
She added, "Who do you report activity like this to? It was really uncomfortable."
It joins the similar practice of "rolling coal," in which people modify diesel engines to spew black clouds of soot. It's used as a way of protesting environmental regulations.
The political affiliations of the pickup truck drivers are unknown. But Hickory is located in Caldwell County, where 74.1 percent of residents backed President Trump in the 2016 election.
The trend has garnered the ire of environmentalists. Dan Becker, executive director of the Safe Climate Campaign, called it "mean and stupid."
"I'm sure that pickup truck drivers wouldn't want someone to slash their tires just because they're driving a pickup truck that guzzles a lot of gas and pollutes their children," Becker said in an interview. "And I think it's almost a form of vandalism because it's preventing someone from being able to drive their vehicle."
He added, "Does it insult their manhood that they pollute more and therefore they want to attack vehicles that pollute less? I don't understand their motivation."
ICE-ing has recently been observed in other parts of the country, as well.
In Bristol, Tenn., Reddit user freckletan shared a photo on Dec. 23, 2018, of a white pickup blocking Tesla chargers, saying, "Driving through Tennessee and see these 'cool guys' icing a supercharger."
The user added, "These guys parked in a Tesla charging spot with their gas (or diesel) truck, unhooked the charge cable, and laid it into their truck bed for 'comedic' effect. ... It would be the equivalent of a Tesla parking at a fuel pump at a gas station and walking away."
The trend has also been documented in Texas, South Carolina and Delaware.
The practice appears to primarily target Tesla rather than other automakers. Tesla's Model 3 has become a top-selling EV despite a year of self-inflicted drama by CEO Elon Musk (Energywire, Dec. 21, 2018).
Nine states and several cities have enacted laws prohibiting gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles from parking in front of EV charging stations, including Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington.
Rolling coal remains illegal throughout the country. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) last year introduced the "Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act," S. 203, in an effort to decriminalize the practice. A co-sponsor was Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), one of Congress' most vocal climate skeptics.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) introduced a companion bill in the House. But the measure ultimately failed to gain traction.
Early buyers charge for free for the lifetime of the car. In order to get free charging now, you have to buy the top end model which costs well in excess of $100k. Most new Tesla owners get free charging for about 1K miles. It is cheaper to charge at home than use the Tesla supercharging network.
My pickup has never done anything so bad as to get kicked out of anywhere, and NEVER uses foul language.
Seems that the Right & Proper thing to do if found, is to buy a bucket of blue paint and change the spaces to Handicap Parking zones.
Exactly.
If someone wants to drive a Tesla, it’s on them. No skin off my back.
However, neither do I appreciate them getting the premier parking spaces simply because they are electric.
I’ve never even seen one of the Supercharging stations.
Same here. Every Tesla owner I know is a bleeding heart liberal.
“I have parked my SUV in charging spaces when it is the only spot available, or the closest spot.”
Yes, that was my first reaction in post #25.
Many here still will unquestionably swallow anything Big Media excretes as long as it’s not DIRECTLY related to politics.
In this case, it was clear who Big Media was targeting, too.
Good info. That isn’t right for displacing blue handicapped spots. Put the charging stations out in the back 40.
Me either. I’m all over Utah and Nevada (outside of Vegas) and I never see them. The range on those things is terrible, I think you’d have to be crazy to have on out here. I’ve traveled with extra gas before. Good luck doing that with an electric car.
That answer is...YES!
Well said. That and they don’t pay fuel taxes.
How does she know her Tesla runs on Solar- does she only frequent Solar charging stations?
Yep!!! You explained it perfectly.
Seems like we’re a minority here but I think it’s funny too.
Okay, that is interesting
My experience has been the opposite. The three that I know are two Tech Guys and a doctor. All three are gun owners, all three are just the gadget types. And I know plenty of Democrats that drives big trucks.
Sure these guys are jerks, but isn't killing their dogs a little harsh?
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