Editorials

Sentry Video Shows Nissan Leaf Owner Unplugging Tesla- But The Ethics Aren’t So Simple

In a recent Youtube upload by user, Tesla P3D, we can see a woman caught on their sentry-mode camera unplugging their Model 3, to use the charger for their own Nissan Leaf.

What a terrible thing, right? Well, yes, and no…but definitely yes. Okay, truth told, it is more complicated by that, and our first instinct, that this is absolutely terrible, has some major ethical implications in the world of EV ownership. Watch the video, then we can continue out exploration of charging etiquette.

So, as we said before, this seems not nice. That’s fair, and the conversation could stop there, if only the condemnation of these acts were so simple. Unfortunately, there is a competition for the limited charging resources at some destinations, which all EV owners have experienced.

Well, I say all, and honestly it’s more like most. You see, I drive a Nissan Leaf, from 2012 at that, with only 76 miles of range. Where I almost never need a destination charger, the emergency does occasionally present itself, and it thankfully has always been fine.

However, on more than one occasion I’ve become upset with the state of chargers. There have been construction workers in ICE-trucks, parked in EV spots. That’s clearly terrible. There have been plug-in hybrids parked in EV spots. Could we agree, that is also slightly terrible?

Plug-ins can charge at home and get home on gas, a 2012 Leaf cannot. The logic behind ICE cars persists, but to a lesser degree.

Now, we come to this incident. As pointed out in the Youtube comments, the Tesla has (in most circumstances) access to the much touted Supercharger network, which other EVs cannot use (yet). I get that Tesla installed them for exclusivity, and I applaud their trailblazing. One may not have been available to the Model 3 here, we don’t know.

Regardless, the situation here begs the question, does an EV with at least three times the range, and with both an exclusive and superior alternative method of charging, deserve priority?

I’m totally in support of first-come, first-serve, and have no idea if either person needed to get to the hospital or something (I doubt they did), but still these are murky waters.

If the Tesla charges faster, holds more juice, and has another option, than maybe the Leaf didn’t do something so terrible. Furthermore, non-Tesla EVs often show their state-of-charge on the exterior. If the tables were turned, the Tesla owner could see if the Leaf were fully charged, and make a more informed decision than this Leaf owner ever could.

Well guys, the devil’s advocate position has been logged. Unfortunately some lesser people are still constrained by the EV woes of yesteryear, but does that give them a possible out from judgement?

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