In an effort to show the readiness of our electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm set off on a four-day, EV road trip. Let’s just say, the attempt to promote EV’s and our EV infrastructure backfired. Instead of the trip being a rousing success, it put on full-display our lack of EV preparedness.
Even with Secretary’s team of people paving the way, routing her entourage and finding workable chargers, the trip was difficult.
One notable “difficulty” happened outside of Augusta, Georgia when Granholm’s team realized the available charges were either broken or occupied. In order to make it smooth for the Secretary, one of her advance team parked a gas-burning vehicle in one of the charging stations to “reserve” a spot for her.
That idea did not go over well with other EV owners on that hot, summer Georgia day. One family in line at the charging station eventually got fed up with the non-moving, gas-powered SUV and called the police. But, there was nothing the officer could do. Apparently, it is not illegal to park a gas-powered vehicle in an EV charging station.
Not good optics for the Secretary or EV readiness.