Nevertheless, as electric vehicles started entering the mainstream, people discovered that EV owners could be just as bad as ICE vehicle drivers. Tesla owners began to block the Supercharger stalls, using the charging stations as parking lots. To other Tesla owners who want to charge their cars, this presents the same challenges as ICE-ing. Fortunately, unlike other car brands, there is a creative way to teach Tesla owners the lesson of not letting their cars clog the Supercharger.
The problem is becoming widespread worldwide, and there’s even a name for EV drivers who park their cars at a charging station: EVholes. It derives from ICEholes, another term for those ICE-ing the Supercharger stations. Nevertheless, unlike ICE vehicles, Teslas can be plugged into a Supercharger by anyone. At least until Tesla secures the charging port, it can be triggered to open by pressing the button on the charger.
If you’re wondering what can be achieved with this move, Tesla charges an idle fee for those plugged into the charger after the charging completes. The fee differs from country to country, at $0.5 per minute in the U.S. and similar prices in other countries’ currencies. The idle fee doubles when all the charging stalls at the Supercharger are occupied, which is meant to encourage people to unplug as soon as they charge their cars to the desired level.
In China, those who punish Tesla owners for abusing the Superchargers are considered heroes, as a video shared by Jay in Shanghai (@JayinShanghai) shows. The Chinese are creative, considering that Tesla China came up with the solution to use floor locks to prevent other drivers from parking at the Superchargers. As you imagine, these locks are not nearly as effective against rogue Tesla owners.
We’re not sure whether this trend started in China, but it is now becoming widespread worldwide. Pictures posted on Twitter by Zack (@BLKMDL3) show the Tesla enthusiast who loves racing his Model 3 Performance applying the same solution to Teslas parked at the Supercharger. The reactions to his post are mixed, with some questioning the legality of his behavior, while others are intrigued that the charge ports can be accessed when the vehicles are locked. We’d love to hear your opinion on this one.
Tesla Owners Abusing the Superchargers in China.
— Jay in Shanghai ?? Jay (@JayinShanghai) January 17, 2023
Even with Tesla’s floor lock solution they’re parked but not charging!
Along came this HERO he help them plug in, now Tesla’s Idle fee is activated! #Tesla #TeslaChina #Supercharger $TSLA pic.twitter.com/JvtnRPeF1H
Found someone else who’s parked without charging, since they “forgot” to plug in I plugged it in for them so they can get some idle fees since there’s a 5 car line. Love helping the community. pic.twitter.com/QPKRf5cNff
— Zack (@BLKMDL3) January 21, 2023