For example, if you’re traveling with a Tesla Model X that suddenly only accepts AC power through one phase instead of the full power of the supercharger, the usual fees in Germany for charging stations occupied for too long can be an added hassle. Some time ago we paid almost 90 euros for an almost full charge at EnBW somewhere in the interior of the province, because we did not want to interrupt our emergency night in a hotel after four hours and, given the problems with the charger, we preferred to carry so much electricity as possible with us. However, a current case in Amsterdam suggests that lock-in fees, which are unpopular with many electric car drivers, are justified.
Tesla Model 3 occupies charging station for weeks
The question of when charging at a public station becomes a blockage can be discussed for a long time. From the perspective of drivers in dire need of electricity, any other electric car at a station is likely a lock, while those charging want to stay there as long as they deem necessary. Many CA providers, such as EnBW, set the limit at four hours and then start charging additional fees per minute. In that time you don’t even get one on one Tesla Model X, which charges with up to 16.5 kilowatt hours of alternating current (if working properly), a full battery. Model 3 and Model Y consume up to 11 kilowatts, many other electric cars significantly less.
Even with the lowest charging power and the largest battery, each electric car can be charged within 24 hours. However, a Tesla driver in the Netherlands far exceeds even this generous amount of time, such as Friday. NH Nieuws reported: The same Model 3 has been connected to a public charging station in Amsterdam for a full eight weeks, a local resident told the publication. Of course, it has not been charged for a long time. But unlike in Germany, where pillar operators can add blocking fees for parking too long, there are no such penalties in most Dutch cities.
Long-term parking for electric cars in the Netherlands
According to the report, the woman learned this from the community she contacted about Tesla’s long-term parking. The owner was on vacation, management told her, otherwise she didn’t seem to have much of a problem with it. After all, there is a large network of public electric car charging stations in Amsterdam, she was told. Meanwhile, cobwebs can already be seen on the Model 3’s tires, as the report shows.
Clearly, 8 weeks of “charging” is just disgusting, but there’s more going on in Amsterdam: These tiny battery powered vehicles have been connected to this charger for over 24 hours… ⚡️#amsterdamelectric #alwaysloading pic.twitter.com/qBNIi1kGQ4
— Felix Arturo • electricfelix (@electricfelix) May 27, 2022
In fact, the misuse of charging points as parking spaces is widespread in the Netherlands, as a blogger from there explained on Twitter and documented with an example photo from Amsterdam. Other local electric car drivers spoke with similar stories. One also reported plug-in hybrids like a BMW i8, which he had seen plugged in many times for more than 12 hours straight. The desire for the nationwide introduction of blocking fees was expressed several times and positive reports were received from individual locations and cities where they already exist. The German regulation, sometimes annoying and inappropriate, does not seem to be so bad.
Introvert. Beer guru. Communicator. Travel fanatic. Web advocate. Certified alcohol geek. Tv buff. Subtly charming internet aficionado.
