Charging My EV in a Charging Bay. Parked in by Truck Driver, Asked Him to Move. AITA?

Had to do a quick round trip to Sydney over the weekend (about a 500km round trip). Needless to say, I had to top off the EV in Sydney for the return journey. Pulled into the Seven Hills DC fast charger, plugged in and went for lunch.

Upon returning to my vehicle some 30 mins later, I saw that I was parked in by a garbage truck (and I mean "really" parked in, like cant go forward or backwards). I asked the guy "mate, how long you going to be?", and he didn't answer… I gave it another minute or two and asked again, "Hey, mate. Can I just get you to move forward a bit so I can get my car out???" Driver didn't even glance sideways… Waited another 2 or so mins and asked again "Mate, just how long are you going to be?" and he just went about his work, ignoring me the whole time. In this time, a Polestar also turned up to charge, but saw the truck there. Waited 5 mins and left as well.

After about 15+ mins, the driver finally got back in his truck and backed it up about 10 meters and I could finally get out.

I posted these photos and explained about the incident on a dedicated forum to the scolding and laughing at drivers who ICEhole or otherwise block EV parking bays. Much to my surprise, everyone (bar about 2 people) said I should pull my head in and that the guy was "only doing his job" and that I need to "get a life" and that "15 mins isnt going to kill you" to being told "was your leaving based on you needing to attend hospital???"

So, am I the a#%ehole? for asking this guy to move his truck?
Is 15 mins for someone to do their job "reasonable time to wait"?
Was I not the a$&ehole, and it was reasonable for me to want to leave on my time schedule?
What would you have done? Just waited it out, called the bikies, or chucked a "Karen"?
Is parking over an EV charging bay ok, but across a driveway at the local servo blocking access to the fuel pumps not ok?

Some photos and the obligatory MSPaint diagram…
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3

MS Paint depiction
Google map satellite image with overlay of scale outline of truck and where truck was parked and where they could have parked that hindered nobody.

Poll Options

  • 52
    You ARE the a-hole. Guy is just doing his job.
  • 974
    You're NOT the a-hole, but damn that truck driver is.
  • 34
    Meh, neither here nor there, it's only 15 mins.
  • 13
    Bikies... This definitely required bikies...

Comments

    • +1

      lol
      Bikies =/= Bikkies

  • +3

    Assholes everywhere. I patiently waited for someone to leave, she took her trolley back, as she pulled out she waved to a driver that just turned up to give them her space. That driver wisely let me in,

  • good ol' passive-agressiveness
    you're falling for it.
    truckie was laughing on the inside

  • Some truck drivers are hard of hearing due to the nature of their work.

    Next time you need to walk up to him and be inside his 'circle' and speak louder than usual to politely move his truck for 30 seconds.

  • +1

    Obviously he is the a$$hole.
    He knew he was blocking you in when he chose to park there and he was taking a gamble that you wouldn't return in that time. Unfortunately it didn't work out his way this time. Everyone deserves to be listen to and replied to. He couldn't even do that. Would of just explained to him it would be easier to listen to me now or it will end up causing him more issues to deal with other than the 2 mins it would take him to move or park elsewhere. Plenty of ways to make that happen either nicely or not.

  • +1

    My armchair analysis: the fact he didn't respond to you shows that he was clearly enjoying the fact he was inconveniencing you. And yes, it's probably something to do with the fact you have a shiny new car and it's electric and the feelings that those things generate for certain people. As you've said, the time take (unless exorbitant) is irrelevant; it's the fact he refused (probably smugly/getting himself off at this point) to respond/give you a guesstimate of time so you could go do something else tells you everything you need to know. Verdict: NTA…

  • +4

    Did you speak to him in a condescending tone? I wouldn’t be surprised, that’s how you are on this site.

  • +1

    It's totally intentional. Probably owns a falcadore & can't handle the winds of change.

  • As mentioned how was your tone when asking him? Was it abrupt and demanding? Entiltled…. Some people can be wired differently and take offence at the smallest thing. Maybe he had a shit day, who knows. Definitely no excuse and poor form. Sometimes using a bit of reverse psychology (which in itself is probably condescending) just to gage things could then dictate how, where the conversation needs to go. He may have changed his attitude and spoke up. Then again he could have bedded down and remained a bigger jerk. In that case, I would have driven his truck away.

  • +2

    You were generous with your paint drawing, he was actually physically on your parking space as well. Dumb ass truck driver.

  • WHat's stopping you from calling up the company and reporting the driver?

    • Been there. Nothing happens

    • OP mentioned his company is also a cleanaway client, which is probably a better avenue as he can potentially take business from them.

  • LOL There a new club going around of blocking EVs in hehe :)

    • +1

      What's so funny about that? You might not agree with other peoples choices in life, but what entitles you to be an (profanity) to them?

      • He probably drives some sort of overcompensation vehicle.

  • +6

    9 out of 10 truck drivers would have moved no problems there's as%ho%$s in all industries.

    All industries have them.

    A decent truck driver would never have parked that way in the first place.

    Email Cleanaway with the photos as they will not be happy as its tarnishing their companies reputation. This individual is giving all truck drivers a bad reputation.

    • +5

      As a truckie, I agree… Most guys I know would have been "Oh Shit! you're back… are you leaving right now? lemme just move the truck so you can get out…" I was even polite to the guy because I know what it's like being a driver and having to met deadlines. But just not responding at all is just on a whole other level…

      • And add the company name to the title of this post so it shows up in searches (if they don't respond in a satisfactory manner).

        • Just had a look at their Product Review page… and with a solid rating of 1.1 (147 votes) it's a really good bet that they wont even reply to any emails I have sent. Even if they do, it will be some malarkey like "The guy was just doing his job…"

          • @pegaxs: Yep they will spend a very minimal amount of time thinking about and dealing with this… unlike yourself who has now invested a great deal of time, energy and angst into this event. To the point your googling legislation about parking in vehicles.

            Who’s really going to win ?

  • +1

    id he answered you at the beginning im sure you would have settled in and waited, but the nerve of this dumb ass….. im lucky i wasn't there otherwise i would have gone late 18th century fisty cuffs on the bloke.

  • +1

    Truck drivers the arsehole. If he’d responded to you and let you know, even if he wasn’t going to move you could at least go grab a juice/coffee and not just being ignored by a (profanity).
    I get people have jobs to do but ignoring someone is peak level cuntery .

  • Call the number on the side of the truck.

  • +1

    I'm a truck driver who occassionally has to block people in to get stuff where it needs to go. There is no alternative in a lot of circumstances. People get pissed off its just part of the job.

    15 minutes or more is a long time though. There must have been a bloody lot of bins to empty.

    • But would you ignore someone if they asked you to move?

      • Yeah definitely. I dont like doing it but you can tell when somebody is going to make a fuss.

    • There must have been a bloody lot of bins to empty.

      I think there were either 8 or 10 large green bins on wheels. Each one was tipped into the truck and then squashed up before the next bin went in.

  • -2

    I love how the keyboard warriors are solving the problem that no longer exists

    yeah I really woulda/shoulda/coulda been a contender !!!

    I woulda shownem orright - just watch me (destroy the enemy in this computer game I've played for 1000 hours) !

    if/when this actually happens again to someone else - your car blocked by a huge rubbish truck, let's see how that actually goes … ;-)

    • +1

      settle down and stop pretending you're playing garbage truck driver simulator.

  • IMO we do not have the full story.

    Even garbos if asked multiple times in situations like this would typically respond with "yeah sorry mate just need to empty all of this then we'll be off!"….or even a "tough shit" if he was really being an (profanity)

    I reckon OP isn't as innocent as we are led to believe…

    • +7

      Since you've already started this story, why not flesh it out…

  • +2

    I d heard of the saying, better to be loved, than never loved at all. In this instance, it’s almost, better/preferred to be told to f#&k off mate than not being told at all (ignored). Thoughts?…

    • Are you saying that OP may have no presence ?

  • +5

    Imagine that you were filling fuel. And someone drives in, from the FRONT, so their front bumper is now your front bumper and they want you to back out so that they can drive in and take your spot. But you can't go backwards cos there's a car already there.

    Same thing. Frustration due to a lack of communication.

    Dear OP, file a written and verbal complaint with the company. And ask for an outcome. An apology, an acknowledgement, something.

  • Complain to the shop management

  • should of Pi**ed on his door handle so he has to touch your pee to get in.

    This is a joke obviously

  • +4

    Funnily enough, if you do a street view of the charging station, there's a Cleanaway truck parked in the same spot

    • Lol well spotted
      It's actually in the parking spot itself (where OPs car was)

      • I think that 360 degree photo was taken before the ev chargers were installed.

        • +3

          So the Cleanaway truck was there first, confirms OP is an a$$
          /s

        • Interesting, so that might explain things a little. Truck driver was used to parking where the EV chargers are now installed. Probably all bitter since he now has to roll the bins a few extra metres to unload (and why he parks over the end of the EV charger bay).

  • +2

    OP, Did he acknowledge you at all? Perhaps he was deaf and had no idea you were there?

  • Lodge a complaint. Let them know there big blue truck with the situation is online for all to see.

    Manners cost nothing, and if he can't help but be a rude prick, then have his manager pull him up on it.

  • -4

    You walked away from your car. Old mate saw an empty car parked charging so he went about doing his job. He likely gets harassed a lot and didnt want to deal with it. Staying quiet is a good trick to be left alone. You clearly got your car out with a small delay(Which seems ok, you didnt mind waiting in the cafe for 30 minutes, 15 isnt much more). Go eat some toast, have some soup, and live your life.

    • +2

      I'll remember that next time you fill up at the servo "and leave your car" to go pay.
      Someone blocks you in while you're paying, and you'll just go get some toast or soup for 15min?? Yeah I call bullcrap on that mate. Massive bullcrap.

      • +1

        This is what I don’t get… there seems to be a lot of people who are just “he was just doing his job”… when the truck driver wasn’t blocking them in…

        I wonder just how accommodating these people would be if, like you say, they went to get fuel and the truck stopped them from leaving…

        “He’s just doing his job.”

        • Exactly right mate.

          Imagine if it was old mate in the truck that was the one being held up for 15min, instead of him causing the delay on others. You can bet there would be ZERO patience from him! Hypocrite needs a complaint lodged against him for his unacceptable behaviour.

        • -2

          Ok . Can you tell those annoying stop sign people at construction sites to stop holding me up all the time . They are just doing their job !

          • @lostgoat: wow.

            Ok, a) they are LEGALLY entitled to do so, b) if they didn't your safety would be at risk, and c) Mr Jerk Cleanaway has neither a) or b) to rely on.

            Massive differences between them… but yes, they are both doing their jobs (one very poorly and against company policy and law- but you don't care about that right?).

            • -1

              @UFO: When there's shit built up all over the city you go ahead and complain about the trash collectors, until then they are providing a vital service so maybe pull your head in.

              • @hawkshead: hahahaha… not all heroes wear capes right mate? :)

                Yeah nah… there's a way to conduct yourself professionally AND still be decent trash collector.
                Not once did I put down truck drivers for being truck drivers, that's your false narrative to try and prove a failed point.

                Being a truck driver and being a tool can be mutually exclusive. Being one doesn't mean you have to be the other.

                • +1

                  @UFO: I'm sure this individual trash collector designed the trash collection area, AND the charging bay. I'm sure that trash guy waited until the exact moment OP went back to his car to start emptying the trash -_- and I'm sure that being ignored by a complete stranger for 15 minutes was the worst experience of OP's life.

        • I don't drive a car because I find the issues you're facing frustrating. Get a bus pass. you'll never ever deal with this issue again. solutions all around over here. Only complaints from you.

      • You spend 30 minutes paying at the servo?

  • -2

    Karens gotta Karen

  • +3

    Oh the irony of having making a sustainable future possible on the side of your truck while blocking EV bays.

  • +5

    Totally see your frustration and yeah i'd be moaning to cleanaway if it was me.

    So much for this place being a 'community', the amount of negative garbage replies in this post is insane. Although it seems to be a growing trend. Yes you would be annoyed too if you were OP. To the small minority that think OP is in the wrong - sure, its ok to disagree. But no need to be so nasty about it, jeez.

    • +1

      They only disagree because it wasnt them in the same situation… :D

      They are only outraged because I said EV… This literally could have been just any other car parking spot, but it seems to the vocal minority that it's ok because it was an EV parking spot. *shrugs*

      • -1

        You don't get it . It nothing to do with the EV. It you not being able to get any attention . May I suggest you carry portable Xmas lights and a fog horn so in the future light and sound is covered if your jumping on his bonnet .

      • I hate people who use "The vocal minority" get your maga hat on.

  • +1

    Phone the company to complain

  • +1

    This could be a Seinfeld episode. I can see George everywhere in this incident.

    • +2

      Newman!

      {said through clenched teeth}

  • -4

    Charging My EV in a Charging Bay. Parked in by Truck Driver

    First world problem, you went into EV knowing infrastructure is a hack.

  • +2

    First time I saw your MSPaint of your car I thought it was a toilet with the lid up, I can't unsee it now.

  • +2

    Call the police and say you're being detained against your will. Technically the truck is refusing to let you leave right?

  • yes hes absolutely in the wrong here, you should report him to the police, especially if hes ignored you. if it was me i would beep my horn until i got his attention.

    • would beep my horn until i got his attention

      Possibly illegal as well.

  • +2

    In the USA, they would move because they would get shot.
    No guns in oz, they ain’t scared.

  • +3

    I'm voting NTA just based on you following all the OzBargain rules:

    Pics
    Quality MS Paint drawing
    Google Maps satellite view with MS Pain overlay

    No one who is willing to create such a perfect OzBargain post could ever be considered as YTA

  • 'parked in', there's an expression I've never heard before?
    Is that new or something?

  • Just jump on the truck and move it /s

  • +1

    If i got ignored after asking a reasonable question, id be furious and calling company to lodge complaint.

  • -1

    I think OP needs to hit the gym. no one's going to take orders from a wimpy looking kid driving a fancy EV.

  • +1

    Since you've gone to the trouble of typing up your story with photos etc - send it to cleanaway. https://www.cleanaway.com.au/contact-us/
    They also have a "Community Hotline - Complaints and Feedback 1800 213 753"

    Imagine you blocked him in that spot for 15 mins when he was ready to go - how would that end?

  • YTA: Op is missing a critical detail here

    https://imgur.com/a/fEpHYAj

    This EV driver was blocking the truck driver from picking up his recycling… RECYLING… I do think there is some irony here.

    Did he mention he was an EV driver?

    • Oh yeah! Im the arsehole… truck was there before me and it was me who was blocking the truck driver… problem solved, close thread :D

      • -1

        He was doing his job and you deliberately left out important details in your story.

        YTA.

        • What important parts? The part where I drifted sideways up the ramp and 360 no scoped hand brake turn spun my car into that tiny space between his truck and the charging station?

          Since you were there, please, let me know what parts I left out.

  • He could have just told you to wait. But why waste time potentially getting into an argument? Good tactic by the truck guy, but yeah, he shouldn't ignore people.

  • After the first polite request, the next time I would have been swearing and threatening to call the police!

  • Truck driver probably stoned, report to the company.

  • Why do I feel that there's more to the story as all witnessing bystanders thought the OP was an a**. There's always two (or more) sides to a story and we only see what the OP wants us to see.

  • +1

    Are you sure the guy even heard you? Did he make eye contact? He might be deaf from driving a garbage truck all day.
    Anyways, the time you've taken to complain and read responses likely outweighs the time you were inconvenienced, so you might want to smack yourself in the head, for wasting double the time, and ours. If everyone complained about this level of life event, we might realise how blessed we are, or how whiney and privileged we are.

    • I hope that mighty high platform of tolerance and patience you're portraying extends to your own life as well?

      You're going to just stand around for 15min when the person delaying you could take 15 seconds to move their vehicle? Yeah right, good one mate.

  • +1

    I think its a bad situation for all parties involved. It's a terrible location for a Return & Earn facility to be located next to a car charging station. I would try to write a letter to the Return & Earn people or local council and ask them to reassess / reconsider a better location for the portable Return & Earn facility. Or write to the car charging company and alert them of your customer experience at that Return & Earn location. Perhaps it will help planning and role out of future charging locations.

    As a citizen who recycles I often visit my local Return & Earn. My closest one is so busy that it has to be emptied every second day. The trucks have to park right next to the facilty to empty it. They only leave enough room for the container door to open.

    Return & Earn facilities are usually located at large car parks in a corner farthest from shops to not block the most popular parking spots. Your situation is the reverse because EV vehicle owners frequently need those spots. The planners for the Return & Earn obviously have not come across this situation before.

    I recommend you let all the relevant planning departments know what happened to you.

    • +1

      Whats the bet this happens every ****ing time the driver comes this job? No wonder he goes quiet.

      • Yep probably easier to just not engage with random angry members of the general public and just get on with the job until your done.

  • +1

    New laws in NSW for this exact thing, either parking actually in the bay or blocking, nicknamed "ICEing", that is a $2200 fine.

    Shoulda called the police at the time, time is money and I ain't gunna wait for that shit.

    https://www.drive.com.au/news/nsw-introduces-fines-for-petro…

  • -1

    I would have videoed the attempted conversation… and then posted it on YouTube- sending the company a direct link of the rude driver completely ignoring you.

    Big companies like that HATE bad publicity… and the risk of that getting picked up and going viral is real.

  • +7

    As a fuel tank truck driver , this situation happens to me on a daily basis, now that there are charging stations installed at most petrol stations where I deliver. When this happens, I’ll get out and kindly communicate with anyone charging their car, that I’ll need to park in front of the charging station, so if they’re happy to wait there while I deliver, or I can give the 5-10mins while I set up, to move. 10 out 10 times, the drivers respond kindly, and by the time I’ve set up my equipment, they’ve moved. It only takes 30 seconds for us to get off our high horse, and communicate with them. Sadly, most truck drivers are horrible with communication, and are usually impatient, despite the fact we get paid by the hour. In this case, that driver was just an arrogant prick, and you have every right to be pissed off. I could imagine if the shoe was on the other foot, that driver would be verbally abusive towards you 😂 anyways, sorry for your experience, on behalf of all the truckies!

    • +2

      All good. I am a truckie myself and do a lot of delivery drop offs when I am driving and sometimes it is impossible not to park someone in, but I think you said it best with the "just communicate with the drivers" part.

      If I see someone coming back to a car, I get to them first and say sorry for parking like that, give them a time frame if they are happy to wait or ask them if they want me to move and I just do whatever their decision is as it wasn't their fault I had to park them in.

      I get that people have jobs to do, and I get that he is on deadlines, I am pretty accommodating for truckies and tradies, but damn, nothing from this guy.

  • I just thought I would share my experience as I was once the AH and didn't realise it during a very similar exchange. I was parked in our driveway in our apartment complex which was down a small incline from the street height as the garbage man spent the better part of probably 5 minutes moving the garbage bins at our property. We had around 20 bins out the front of the unit complex, he was getting through them pretty quickly. I honked the car horn a few times, getting annoyed, got out and called to the guy a few times and he kept going about his business. I was late for work and was getting anxious.

    Getting annoyed I finally walked up to him so we could have eye contact and he finally acknowledged me. I got a bit annoyed and started asking why he was ignoring me to which he put his hands over both his ears and then a hand over his mouth and my heart sank as I realised how much of an AH I actually was and apologised by putting his fist over his chest and rotating it a few times.

    My question to the OP is did you consider (and he may have just been the AH in the situation) but did you consider he may not have been able to hear you - either due to being deaf or alternatively as he had noise blocking devices in his ears? You mentioned he went about his business without even glancing sidewards to your protestations.

    • Nothing in/on his ears and the truck was not that loud. I was standing on the drivers side of my car at the rear and I looked at him. I asked the question, he looked at me, then went back to doing what he was doing. There is 100% chance he saw me speak and heard me. Even if he didn't hear me, he saw me and could easily have pointed to his ear and shook his head to indicate he didn't hear me.

      The second time I asked him if he could move his truck so I could get out, he was about 6~7 feet away. I was facing him. There is no way in hell he could not have seen me unless he was blind as well.

      I have a feeling that he gets confronted a lot for his shit parking habits and takes the "head in the sand and maybe they will go away" approach.

  • Maybe he didn't like the slogan stuck on the back of the car :)

  • Are those chargers owned by the Ampol there? Could've gone in and have a word with the cashier if so, see if they could get the garbo to move.

    • Nope. They are owned by Evie. I ended up going in there (to get some drinks/snacks while I waited) when the truckie refused to even acknowledge I was there, and the cashier was going to be of no assistance.

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