Many electric vehicle drivers have experienced disturbing incidents of others maliciously pulling out cables or even cutting them at charging stations. Surveillance footage and personal confrontations often show vandals disrupting EV charging out of resentment or hatred for people who own and drive clean energy vehicles.
Yet even business owners and store managers sometimes unplug their own electric vehicles, frustrating drivers who rely on public charging stations.
In a Reddit thread on r/TeslaModelY, one driver shared details of a frustrating encounter while charging at a local grocery store.
OP explained that they started charging their electric car at a grocery store and went into the store’s Starbucks to work while they were charging. The store manager told the OP that he unplugged the car because the stations are for customers only.
However, the OP was actually a customer who purchased a drink and worked in the store’s cafe. The encounter made the OP feel “extremely uncomfortable,” so they packed up and left.
“I’m frustrated because this used to be my grocery store and it was always nice to be able to charge my car while I shopped, but I don’t want to go back there because I know the store manager is a nasty person who stalks customers with cameras and won’t hesitate to unplug their cars while charging,” OP shared.
This situation is unfortunate because it prevents EV drivers from charging their EVs. This also creates anxiety for operators as there is no reliable source of charging when out running errands.
Unfortunately, EV driver harassment is a widespread problem worldwide. Unplugging vehicles and other threatening behaviors not only creates unnecessary tension between EV and non-EV owners, but also slows wider adoption of clean energy driving.
Those who are not yet aware of the impressive technological advancements and benefits of electric vehicles may rely on outdated information or anti-EV propaganda to justify their actions.
It is true that the production of electric vehicles does use some natural resources and generate some pollution. However, electric cars are still cleaner and more sustainable than gasoline-powered cars, which emit exhaust fumes wherever they go.
When you drive in an efficient electric vehicle, you help maintain breathable air and reduce your impact on the planet’s overheating. You also avoid the purchase of gas and the routine maintenance costs of a traditional car, resulting in significant vehicle ownership savings.
In response to the OP’s post, Reddit users offered suggestions on how to handle the situation.
One Reddit user suggested: “Make sure you use one of those charging locks next time you go.”
“I would complain to the company or his boss,” someone else suggested.
Another Reddit user wrote: “Report them for tampering with customers’ cars.”
Get TCD’s free newsletter for simple tips to save more, reduce waste and make smarter choices, and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD’s exclusive Rewards Club.