Tensions Mount Over Lack Of Electric-Vehicle Charging Stations

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) – The lack of charging stations for the increasing number of electric vehicles in California is driving some automobile owners into disputes.

CBS2/KCAL9's Jeff Nguyen found a Mustang, which runs on gas, parked in an electric-vehicle charging station in Burbank for at least an hour.

When Nguyen confronted the driver, he said: "Actually, I was running in and out, and so it just happened.  I did not see the sign. It needs to be bigger actually," the man said.

Edwin Medina of Southgate calls himself an electric-car evangelist, who is trying to preach the gospel of consideration.

"The challenge that's being faced right now by a lot of electric vehicle owners is non-electric vehicles parking in electric charge stations," Medina said.

He said he even had another electric-car owner pull out the plug from his car at a charging station once.

"If you have to walk a few steps or you don't need a charge, leave the station for someone who does need it because they're trying to get home as well," Medina said.

Jon Sirugo's business sits right by the charging station where Nguyen found the Mustang parked.

The business owner blames the city, which installed eight charging stations weeks ago, for not enforcing the rules.

"If they were going to do this, they should enforce it," Sirugo said.

The city attorney for Burbank told Nguyen the enforcement code went into effect late last month, and there is a bit of a lag time before parking tickets will be issued.