Green businesses and companies are starting to realize that going green is cool and that something should be done to promote the environment. If you happen to be a green-friendly individual, you most likely do your part to stave off environmental issues in your own way. One way green retailers are doing this is by offering “Hybrid Only Parking” for automobile drivers who own or lease hybrid electric cars. Well my oh my, this sounds like a pretty good perk for being a hybrid owner, but I’m sure it could be a little annoying to people who haven’t yet made the switch.
Well Known Benefits of Hybrids
Some of the most well known benefits of driving hybrids are carte-blanche access to HOV or carpool lanes. At one point at least, 37 states in the US offered access to HOV lanes for hybrids, although, California is now changing that rule to be electric only. Most Hybrid perks are long gone with the government tax subsidies when hybrids were new to the auto industry. Now those perks go to full on electric cars or plug-in cars like the Nissan Leaf or the Chevy Volt.
Nonetheless, hybrid only parking directly in front of the grocery store sounds good to me. Fresh & Easy green grocer is a major company to offer hybrid only parking as well as Home Depot in some areas. Offering hybrid only parking spots is a way to commend and reward people for being environmentally aware.
The Controversy on Hybrid Only Parking
People say that treating parking spaces such as hybrid only parking on the same level as handicap parking is a little off base. But green retailers see it as tool to raise awareness on environmental issues and apply just a wee bit of social pressure on the public.
Still others contend that preferential parking for hybrid vehicles can put off the wrong message. Since hybrid cars tend to be more expensive than conventional automobiles, some people might conclude that well-to-do people are getting special treatment…again.
Here Come The Hybrid Eco Snobs
What’s that you say? People are well aware of the intentional or unintentional observations of people who roll around town and strut their eco stuff. Some people may call them eco snobs. An eco snob is not necessarily a hybrid owner, it could just be someone at the checkout stand with their comments on reusable bags or some snobish remark about the proper way to recycle. Some people might argue that these well-meaning sentient beings might have one more weapon in their arsenal due to princess parking for hybrids right next to the handicap spot.
While I am confident that someone is going to get proud of their hybrid parking spot in the front of the grocery store, that kind of attitude usually doesn’t last long. Most people who act this way are really excited about their new hybrid (at least that’s what I hope). The excitement hopefully fades, and eventually hybrid owners just forget that they even drive a hybrid at all. On the other hand, with signs on sale at Amazon.com for hybrid only parking, they might be reminded again and again if they gain more popularity with businesses.
What do you think about this whole funny business of hybrid only parking?
