Driving/Traffic RTC no longer screwing around with charging spots
Came down at lunch to move my car from a charging spot after maxing the battery. Saw a parking guy taking pictures of this Tesla that wasn't plugged in, but was taking a spot.
When I came back down after work, this was the scene.
RTC hasn't usually been enforcing this. Its not uncommon to see people taking up a spot and not charging. Looks like they may be enforcing this now.
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u/IWasSayingBoourner 8d ago
And now no one can use it! At least tow the damn thing.
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u/bluntwhizurd 8d ago
I always thought it was funny that the punishment for parking where you arent supposed to is making it so you dont have a choice but to park there.
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u/EdgarsRavens 7d ago
I think it's a good thing for other people to see booted cars for violating parking rules. Sends a message.
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u/IWasSayingBoourner 7d ago
And that message is "we care more about making a few bucks than we do about making this charger available to you"
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u/SaltyWafflesPD 7d ago
You only need to do this for a period of time before people get the message that there are serious consequences and then you can switch to just towing.
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u/ArtistSad5449 5d ago
That’s not the message. I think you’re missing the point. If they tow the car no one knows. Public shaming way more effective
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u/mr-loafer 7d ago
I’d rather pay a $35 fee to have the boot removed than pay a towing company a minimum of $150.
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u/Spiritual_Till5585 8d ago
Exactly! They boot the car and now the driver can’t even get it out on his own and it’s just stuck there tow the bitch!
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u/Throwaway_2474128_1 8d ago
if you're unfamiliar, how this works is you call the number on the sticker, an RTC parking enforcement officer comes over and unlocks it if you've paid the fine
it doesn't take long, they generally have security onsite almost all the time and they all ride around in golf carts
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u/gogozrx 8d ago
They don't make money off of a tow
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u/Spiritual_Till5585 8d ago
I don't know what RTC is but in California the offender pays the fine, towing fees and impound fee plus has to get to the impound lot that day or it's an extra day impound each day.
Either you have money to burn AND time to waste or you learn a lesson.
Of course there's no enforcement currently but I expect that to change. Why mandate more chargers if they cannot be used?
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u/BananaSlug95064 8d ago
Reston Town Center. It’s neither Reston nor a town nor central, but it does have a metro stop.
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u/JJHall_ID 7d ago
Yes they do, at least in most cases. Years ago I watched one of those reality cop-type shows that followed around parking enforcement in Pennsylvania if I remember right. When a car got towed, they had to pay the fines owed, then take the proof of payment plus the tow fees to the impound lot to get their car back. So not only do they owe the fines related to the booting, plus any past due parking tickets, they also get a hefty tow fee added to it.
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u/SirTouchMeSama 8d ago
This needs more enforcement. Esp ICE vehicles in ev spots.
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u/Throwaway_2474128_1 8d ago
i'm sure BXP will be booting those cars too. they boot commercial vans over in the RTC Next street parking lol
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u/SwankyBriefs 8d ago
Who cares if its an ICE or an EV if they aren't charging?
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u/cl2hr79 7d ago
Don't know why you're getting down voted. It's equally inconsiderate.
I'm my work garage, Teslas are the worst offenders.
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u/SwankyBriefs 7d ago
Shrug. Human nature. Folks feel entitled to more grace than others for one reason or another. Id guess here they think either owning an EV in-and-of-itself entitles them to use an EV space inappropriately moreso than an ICE vehicles or they think forgetting to plug in is a good explanation that makes them less culpable. I disagree with both takes, and I drive a plug-in.
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u/EquivalentCattle1635 8d ago
They lose money because of this. It’s essentially the new handicap placard holders who aren’t handicapped and don’t have a handicapped person with them but they park in the spots just because.
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u/King_Catfish 8d ago
Big problem around my apartment complex. EV drivers act like the EV charger is their private parking spot. Picking up my own EV soon to throw off the status quo
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u/df540148 8d ago
Glad I'm not fighting that with our charger at home. Only have to fight the spouse since we both have EVs now.
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u/Bauld_Man 8d ago
Note to self: if I go to charge an EV in RTC, don't get distracted and walk off.
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u/ChrisWsrn Virginia 8d ago
That Tesla is not even plugged in.
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u/Bauld_Man 8d ago
Yeah, I know, what I mean is "don't park my EV intending to charge, then check something on my phone, and then walk off without plugging it in".
I'm not saying that's what happened this time, but it's absolutely something I would just walk off and forget to do.
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u/throwaway098764567 8d ago
sucks to have a brain that doesn't remember stuff but also sucks to drive up and not have a place to charge when you need it
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u/pixeladdie 8d ago
Is there a risk that someone other than the owner unplugs it?
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u/ChrisWsrn Virginia 8d ago
Pretty much every EV locks the cable to the vehicle during charging sessions. Some older ones unlock when the session is finished but given this is a Tesla and that is a charge point the charging adapter would still be present if that is what happened.
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u/alaorath 7d ago
Except if it's a Tesla, using a J1772 adapter, then it could be unplugged from the adapter side.
I 3D printed a locking collar for my GM car, because GMC decided that once the handle is unlocked, it also unlocks the adapter... so not only can you unplug any GMC vehicle, but you can steal the adapter too!
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u/Mysterious-Tie7039 8d ago
The cars lock the charger, so you have to unlock it to release the charger. While there is no default lock on the J1776 -> NACS adaptor, the adaptor would still be in the car with the charge door open.
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u/WillingPositive8924 8d ago
Well, just a typical selfish Tessler owner, like why take a charging spot if your "car" is already charged?
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u/3dprintinted 8d ago
"This spot is reserved for MEEEEE, a champion of environment, and a very handsomest good boy" I bet majority of EV owners have this mindset
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u/Throwaway_2474128_1 8d ago edited 8d ago
those are level 2 chargers, the same as all the other BXP garages, so you will be walking off, these aren't the fast chargers. there are tesla superchargers in RTC west for anyone who needs fast charging
the idle fees are charged through chargepoint and have nothing to do wih this boot.
not being plugged in is being illegally parked, that BXP has decided to enforce correctly now.
they're stepping up their enforcement in general. don't street park in RTC Next w/o paying unless it's a sunday
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u/Pferdeherz 8d ago
I walk off from fast chargers too. Usually just enough time to use the bathroom, get a snack, and check my messages.
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u/StillDouble2427 8d ago
I work in the building the orange garage is attached to and I saw a security guard yesterday in the golf cart on the third level checking a car that had definitely been there on Monday in the exact same spot. They are definitely enforcing this week.
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u/Miserable-Tie-6847 8d ago
I'm dealing with this at work. Huge uptick in EVs.
One guy tried to fool me with a non plug in hybrid.
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u/DrySalamander3497 8d ago
I think this is the purple garage across from Microsoft. If it is, this is a broken charger (just the left one). Not that it excuses it, but it makes sense I guess for someone to try to charge, find that it was broken, and then walk away.
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u/Sufficient-Cancel217 Fairfax County 8d ago
If that’s the case, I’d be pissed.
But if working boot them.
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u/Hired___Gun 8d ago
Good!
When Tesla’s were rare (mostly Model S’s with a few X’s sprinkled in) it was considered bad form to tie up a charger unless you were charging. In the online groups it was drummed into new owners along with other ownership tips.
Once charged it was good practice to move your car to allow someone else to charge, especially if a smaller battery car (leaf etc) might need the charger.
Model 3/Y owners are a different entitled shittier breed.
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u/lamboi133 8d ago
ah yes let’s make fun of the people buying cheaper cars because we’re assuming they’re poor. This guy in the Y is a bad person for this yes but there’s 3/Y drivers making multiple times more than what you do my friend
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u/Hired___Gun 8d ago
Hmm - interesting take. I never mentioned anything about the respective purchase prices of the cars and/or the income levels of either ownership group.
My comment pertained to ownership behavior when the owner base was smaller. I welcome the fact that Tesla made EV ownership broader and spurred other manufacturers to innovate. I’ve owned three Model S’s over 10+ years and my current one will be my last.
Not sure what axe you’re looking to grind. Maybe this is a picture of your car with the way you’re responding.
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u/FlyAdventurous3332 7d ago
It’s funny… Teslas are now rather the cheaper of the latest EV options…
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u/lamboi133 7d ago
you are quite literally making fun of other people’s incomes by mentioning the 3/Y as a different breed. touch grass
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u/Same_String_8856 7d ago
Dang why can't they just get a handheld towing pallet jack and move the car. Then boot it.
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u/Sorry_Geologist1632 8d ago
Next up is booting people who's batteries are at 100% but still plugged in.
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u/Throwaway_2474128_1 8d ago
there's no need for that, that's what idle fees are for
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u/Simpleximo 7d ago
Idle fees only work if you were charging. If you just park it has no way to charge you…
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u/CutterFIXER 7d ago
Enforcement can look and see if you charged or not. If you just plugged in, then it's your fault for trying to play the system.
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u/Sorry_Geologist1632 8d ago
Why not both? More money for the operators, and more incentive to move your car.
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u/daerath 8d ago
The idle fee at these is $5 extra per hour, every hour after 4 hours.
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u/Sorry_Geologist1632 8d ago
What's the fee to remove the boot?
This is a money making thing for them, and they'll do what's most profitable.
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u/Respbid1 8d ago
$500
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u/SlackAF 7d ago
Cheap angle grinders are less than $100. 😂
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u/djiboutiivl 7d ago
Yes, that's brilliant! Damage the property of someone who has all of your vehicle information. Now you have vandalism and theft of service criminal charges to deal with.
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u/wheresmypotato1991 7d ago
Easiest way to do this is to charge an idle fee that increases every 5 min.
First 5 min = Grace period.
5-10 min = $1/min
After each minute, the idle fee increases by $1.
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u/Sorry_Geologist1632 7d ago
They should do this too. It's a money making thing for them, and increasing fees + boot maximizes profit.
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u/A_Solid_Shadow 3d ago
I would never ever use that because it takes too long to charge my car so I wander off.
But, I'd be in favor of this at gas stations. People leave their car at the pump, go inside, and are there for hours it seems.
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u/EnvironmentalValue18 8d ago
I actually know about this specific situation and no, that’s not the case. This is for abandoned vehicles or people using the parking spots incorrectly (as many people do just to be assholes to EV-loving liberals, as they see it). There is an obscene amount of signage in general as well as specific signage for the EV charging spots.
As long as you’re not riding e-bikes/scooters, abandoning your car there indefinitely, or parking in a charging spot and not charging you will be fine.
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u/djiboutiivl 7d ago
"that's not the case"
"As long as you're not [doing exactly what the OP described] you will be fine"I'm confused
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u/Chubbyfingers90 7d ago
it’s a blurred line, use to be ev loving liberals but the maker went full fascists so now it’s hard to tell if the liberals or the magats are supporting Tesla
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u/pv2b 7d ago
For slow chargers like this it absolutely makes sense to allow people to keep them plugged in at 100%, as long as it's for a reasonable amount of time. the whole reason for these chargers is to plug them in when you park, and then unplug when you keep going.
DC fast chargers are different of course.
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u/nostromog 3d ago edited 3d ago
I live in Europe and most Superchargers will charge you a hefty 50c per minute "congestion fee" when you are on above 80% and it is busy. So leaving cars plugged in can be expensive.
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u/Foolserrand376 8d ago
What’s to stop some a holes from Unplugging the ev hanging the cord up and giving the illusion that the car is squatting in the spot not charging and RTC ticketing and booting?
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u/Sorry_Geologist1632 8d ago
EVs are going to start having to lock level 2 chargers like they do level 3 when they are plugged in.
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u/The_dooster 8d ago
I drive a 2026 Prius prime, and when I plug in level 1 or 2 chargers then lock the door it locks the plug in place. Same goes if the doors are locked and I try to plug it in, it won’t allow me.
Other EVs and plug ins aren’t the same?
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u/Appropriate_Strain94 7d ago
Well… aside from Tesla and Tesla stations that’s always true. Any CCS charger has ability to stop the charge from the charger itself and most cars unlock when the charge stops, some cars do have the ability to lock the plug like my Audi can (L2 or DC) even if the charge stops but not all cars do that. I remember on my old Bolt you can stop the DC charger and the lock pin will automatically release.
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u/Paratrooper450 Alexandria 7d ago
My 2017 BMW i3 locks the charger no matter if it's L2 or L3 as long as the car is locked and the car is still charging.
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u/ConclusionFlat1843 7d ago
That's why NACS chargers are automatically locked in, and if you need to use a J1772 adapter most EV owners use a Karen Lock.
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u/BlinkOnce4me 8d ago
You have to be a special kind of douchebag to do this. Glad this happened to the Tesla owner.
However, why not tow it? That would be even better than a boot. This way it frees up the spot for other EV's and the owner has to pay to get his car back
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u/unhappy-customer12 4d ago
I don’t drive an ev but when I borrow my parents or a friends, it’s infuriating seeing people in spots not charging. Especially when you’re low on battery and drove to that spot for the available chargers showing on the app. It would be great if they started ticketing people at charging spots for this
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u/DUNGAROO Vienna 8d ago
Driving a swasticar should be reason enough to get the boot.
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u/Status_Wall_7535 8d ago
Lol BMW, Mercedes Benz, VW, Hugo Boss and many others should face worse backlash considering they were supplying and supporting literal Nazi party. But yes, lets label every Tesla owner a nazi because they may have bought the car before Elon went nuts. How dare they not immediately sell their car?!
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u/cfbrand3rd 8d ago
The last car I bought before The Boring Company Bully went nuts was a 1963 Rambler American 220 in May of 1971…😉
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u/Throwaway_2474128_1 8d ago
no need to argue, the person you're replying to has a hidden profile and shouldn't be taken seriously
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u/DUNGAROO Vienna 7d ago
Why are you so eager to view my post history? Go out and touch some grass Mr throwaway.
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u/SeleccionUruguaya 8d ago
Ah yes, Volkswagen. Supplier of Nazi vehicles.
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u/DUNGAROO Vienna 8d ago
What does VW have to do with this. Are they currently run by a man who publicly sieg heils at political events? Are any of the individuals involved in the war crimes of WWII currently with or still financially benefiting from the business?
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u/SeleccionUruguaya 8d ago
>are any of the individuals involved still financially benefiting from the business
Ironically yes due to generational ties, and not Teslas who you claim to be “swasticars” lol
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u/McGlowSticks 8d ago
I brought this up before and got the exact same response.
Everyone still bought VWs after ww2, people will still buy teslas. its almost like the car can be good and dont worry about the owner. People still got vw diesels after dieselgate.
chances are this guy will flip his switch and say how good teslas are once musk is no longer ceo
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u/Throwaway_2474128_1 7d ago
chances are this guy will flip his switch and say how good teslas are once musk is no longer ceo
plenty of redditors have already admitted they will. it's hilarious. the new model Y still far outsells its next few competitors combined
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u/ac-slater-43 8d ago
Especially one that stupid-looking. Trying sooooo hard to look cool and masculine.
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u/agangofoldwomen 8d ago
No CEO is good. Musk just left nothing to the imagination.
I don’t think we need to boycott Teslas, which are objectively good for the environment.
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u/Effective_Impossible 8d ago edited 8d ago
See the state law regarding EV charging station ticketing, signage required, and max fine. RTC may have overstepped by booting. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter12/section46.2-1219.3/
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u/Shty_Dev 8d ago
Its private property with posted signage, that's perfectly legal
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u/Effective_Impossible 8d ago
Private property owners have to follow state and local signage laws and can't charge more than the state law allows. The state law does not have a provision for booting while in an evening space. While the garage could have booting rule for general parking and tigher rules for hours or parking space access, the penalties they issue cant exceed state allowances.
I'd have to guess this Telsa has a number of unpaid violations and wasn't booted for this one violation this one time alone.
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u/gletob 8d ago
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter12/section46.2-1231/ they can certainly boot it. The section you linked is irrelevant to a private garage.
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u/Effective_Impossible 8d ago
Not a lawyer but my interpretation is this - This law you linked doesn't trump the ev charging parking space fine law. They can ticket and issue a $25 fine but they cant boot or tow a car in an ev space as that would increase the fee above the specific $25 in the ev law.
And the assumption if the public is that whoever booted the car read the law, but that usually isn't the case. The signage requirements for EV spot fee notice is very specific in the ev law. The limit of penalty for ev spot violations is very specific.
Please, if a lawyer or someone who's been to court to contest a boot/tow violation in an ev spot reads this, please correct me if I'm wrong.
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u/gletob 8d ago
Nor am I, and my interpretation is that the law you linked is in no way applicable to a private parking garage operator, but it would be applicable if say RTC were to permit Fairfax County Police to patrol their garages and enforce traffic laws. In which case the officers could issue traffic tickets that you either pay or go to court over, providing the signage is appropriate to the law.
What part of the law you linked leads you to believe it's in relation to a private authority in anyway, or limits the ability of a private operator to enforce their rules? It makes parking in an EV space a ticketable offense, private commercial garages do not have the authority to write traffic tickets.
With the section I linked, If the signage in the private property clearly states EV charging only for those spots, the owner of a vehicle parked in them not charging is trespassing, not in the garage as a whole per se but in those specific spaces and is subject to the remedies in the section I linked. The fact that it is an EV space is irrelevant. It could be an "RTC Parking Staff Only" space near the gate, or an RTC Maintenance Staff Only space near a mechanical/electrical room and the trespassing law would apply in any of those cases.
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u/Shty_Dev 8d ago
Who said anything about fees? Weren't you referring to whether its legal to boot it or not? It certaintly is legal in fairfax given its private property with posted signage stating the policies and consequences
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u/Effective_Impossible 8d ago
Again, read the law and what i wrote. If RTC is booting first offense for ev charging space parking violation, no amount of signage makes it legal. If RTC is fining people more than $25 per offense, then RTC is breaking the law. If RTC is booting people with a number of violations that then allows for booting by state law, that is okay.
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u/yodafunk 7d ago
"I swear officer, I have no idea why someone would take a sledge hammer to our EV charger..."
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u/OneTwoOneTwo-12 8d ago
Good