Electric vehicles are becoming more popular in Taiwan. However, finding public charging stations can sometimes be a challenge. Occasionally, use of the high-demand stations can lead to conflicts between drivers.
Video script:
One Tesla driver confronts another at a shopping mall parking lot in Kaohsiung. He’s been parked in a priority spot without using the charging station for 30 minutes, leaving the other driver unable to charge their battery. When the waiting driver tells him he could be fined, he replies by saying “go ahead and fine me.”
This episode caught on video is just one case caused by the shortage of public charging spots for electric cars in Taiwan. Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity in Taiwan. Over 16,000 EVs were sold in Taiwan in 2022, a two-fold increase over the previous year. But the number of charging stations in public places has not kept pace, leading to conflicts like the one in Kaohsiung.
A parking lot employee says that in such cases, staff can guide non-charging drivers to open parking spaces. But that may not be enough to stop both EV and non-EV owners from parking in front of these high-demand charging stations. According to Kaohsiung Deputy Transportation Minister Liu Chien-pang (劉建邦) drivers who occupy charging stations without charging could be fined up to NT$1200 (US$40) in the future.
However, privately-owned parking lots will not be able to have such strict rules. They can label parking spots as “EV priority” but will have to rely on the honor system. So until more charging stations are added, EV owners shouldn’t be “shocked” if they’re not able to plug in.