Residents bitterly divided over ‘privileged’ parking spots in Aussie suburbs
If you see one, it may restrict where you can park your vehicle.
Electric vehicles have long been touted as the way of the future, but Aussies who have noticed chargers installed along busy inner-city streets have been left divided over whether the designated parking spots should be open to all types of cars.
With parking scarce in the country's major cities, and many homes lacking a garage, millions are forced to park on the street every day. So understandably, the topic of who can park where has prompts heated discussion.
Residents in Sydney spotted charger stations popping in the streets, with only EVs able to park in the two spots directly in front of the device between set hours.
"I guess the warning is to not park here if you're not charging an electric vehicle. No idea how it works as I don't have an electric car. Looks like it takes two cars though," a confused resident wrote on Facebook.
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Residents fume over spaces reserved for the 'privileged'
"So even if the spots are sitting there empty, we can’t use them because they’re reserved for the privileged? another local enquired. "Premium positions too."
"Maybe buy a charger for home and allow access to rock star parking spots for the rest of us plebs," argued a third.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson for City of Sydney Council confirmed that a "small number of on-street chargers" are currently being rolled out across the LGA.
"That space is reserved for EVs to charge. It is time restricted during 8am and 8pm – and can be used overnight but only while charging," the spokesperson said.
While some people were frustrated by not being able to park in the spots during the day, many others pointed to the fact that while EVs may take up that particular spot, they will leave others vacant.
Some people with electric cars 'can't charge them at home'
With cities around the world ruling to outlaw petrol and diesel cars in the very near future, and Aussie jurisdictions implementing similar bans, the electric vehicle (EV) market is rapidly growing. As of June, 2023, 46,600 EVs had been sold in Australia – almost three times higher than the year before, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.
But with more EVs on the roads, there is an increased need for more chargers.
"The aim is for everybody to have an EV, not just 'privileged' people," a Sydney local wrote in response.
"When an EV is parked there, there is another spot which it is not taking up, because people with EVs who park there do so because they cannot charge at home (so otherwise, their car would be parked on the street in another spot)."
"Need more in the area," said another. "Awesome to see these round Inner West!" another wrote.
The company that manufacturers this specific brand of EV charger, EVX, said on their website that Aussie councils should start preparing now for a mass roll-out around other parts of the country.
"With ongoing discussion about a ban on sales of all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, councils need to start preparing their EV charging networks for this move now," the website reads.
According to the Australian Automobile Association, the Northern Beaches Council area has the highest uptake of electric vehicles in NSW, with the region one of eight LGAs taking part in a 12-month trial to make EV charging stations easier to access for motorists who live in flats and townhouses.
The NRMA's energy subsidiary also announced this week and the federal government are jointly funding a $90 million rollout of 137 fast chargers in rural and regional Australia.
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