I didn’t really think about it that deeply to be perfectly honest with you, but yes, those would be the broader issues in question.
With the added complication that your benefit (a free parking space) is derived from other people obeying the rule.
I say fuck 'em. Given that it’s far less likely, I argue ex ano, for a black person to drive an energy-efficient car than a white person, such a policy is blatantly racist even if not intentionally so, and they’re lucky I just disregard their sign rather than organise a protest march. :mad:
Not really. It’s a trivial inconvenience for me to comply with their wishes, and if I had my druthers I’d be driving an EEV anyhow, so I’m happy to do as they ask.
I would agree with this sentiment if people had any clue whether or not their vehicle qualified. Looking over that spreadsheet I sorta linked to earlier, I see such fuel efficient gems as the BMW 528xi, the Audi A7 Quattro, the Buick Lacross, Jeep Patriot, Subaru XV Crosstek, and Range Rover Evoque. It’s a silly list, and a silly rule.
The building where I work has these. I was constructed in the last couple of years and has made a big deal about being “Leed certified”, so I suspect that including these parking spaces gave them points in that direction. As to enforceability, it was made very clear to us that cars that who don’t have a permit indicating a energy efficient car will be towed, and since my office overlooks the parking lot I’ve seen them do it. As to whether a merchant would do this to prospective customers, I doubt it.
Since I generally park way out back so folks with some disability can park closer, I really do not care about this issue. I would probably not notice the signs unless they were pointed out to me.
At Lowes or Home Depot, I do park in the contractors spots. I only park in the handicapped spots when I bring my handicapped FIL with me. I only stay there long enough to get him situated. Then I move my rig and rejoin him inside. He has a handicapped persons permit we put on my dashboard.
If I were, for some unforeseeable reason, to park in one of these silly spots I would not expect to be hassled about it. If the owner did hassle me, I would let them know that I will patronize their competition. No problems.
OTOH, my 1964 VW Baja gets 36 MPG and my 1980 VW diesel Pickup gets 50 MPG so both of them should count as “energy-efficient” vehicles. My motorcycles should also count. My 1990 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel gets around 25MPG as opposed to 12 MPG for any similar sized gas pickup. It counts! Note: none of these rigs is newer then 23 years old. Progress is great.
The store owner does have the right to dictate who parks where in his lot. I have the right to choose where I will shop. It all evens out. A major non-issue for me.