I used to really worry about parking rules, especially for electric vehicles. It’s definitely not good – “ICE-ing,” where a gas car blocks a charging spot for an EV – and EV owners should have their own guidelines for good behavior at DC fast-charging stations.
The issue is that no one seems to care. In my old Mitsubishi i-MiEV, I relied on public Level 2 chargers but was constantly blocked by gas cars, and my city’s parking enforcement never did anything about it. So, I gave up.
But then I got a parking ticket too – for using a public charging station, but apparently parking the “wrong” way, which is actually the only way this car can park. Now, the City of Ferndale, Michigan, seems to be taking things very seriously. And I ended up with a problem because of where the BMW i4’s charging port is located.
The City Of Ferndale V. Kevin Williams
I’ve explained this before here at InsideEVs. I’m based in Columbus, Ohio, but I pick up media-tester cars for my reviews in Detroit. The fleet companies that run this system are happy to have the cars driven to me in Ohio, but sometimes I need a break from Ohio, so I’ll drive there to get them.
This works out for everyone – it’s a roughly 200-mile, three-hour drive that can include a range test and 10-80% DC fast-charging test, and it’s convenient for the fleet company because they don’t have to send a driver for half a workday.
Everyone wins, including you, the reader. Plus, I enjoy going to Detroit to see friends, go thrifting, or just have lunch.
If you’re driving an EV in Ferndale, be aware. You might find yourself facing a hefty ticket and a series of phone calls to get it removed. For now, I hope other cities and urban planners take this experience and change their approaches.
Contact the author: kevin.williams@insideevs.com
I’m Rohan Mehta, the voice behind KhelRe—a trusted and steadily growing blog dedicated to electric vehicles (EVs) in India. With over five years of experience as a tech and automotive blogger, I turned my frustrations with owning an EV into a mission: to help others make more intelligent choices in this fast-evolving world of electric mobility.
I’ve been an early adopter of EV technology—I repurchased my first electric scooter in 2019. That experience opened my eyes to both the promises and the pitfalls of this new mode of transport. From slow charging times and range anxiety to misleading specs and hidden costs, I’ve faced it all. But instead of walking away, I decided to write about it.
That’s how KhelRe was born—a no-nonsense, hands-on blog where I share practical, real-world reviews of EV cars, bikes, and scooters. I break down features, range, performance, and pricing from a user-first perspective. I take pride in simplifying complex tech into clear, valuable insights—offering tips, ownership stories, and advice you won’t find in flashy press releases or sales brochures.
Whether you’re a first-time EV buyer or just a curious auto enthusiast, my goal is to help you navigate the EV landscape with confidence. My motto: “EV knowledge should come from experience, not just brochures.”
When I’m not test-driving the latest e-scooter or comparing charging networks, you’ll probably find me tinkering with my garage EV setup, chatting with fellow enthusiasts online, or sipping chai while writing my next blog post from a cosy local café.
