Get the Volt Outta Here!

It's all about semantics but what is an Electric Car?  I ask this because I saw something today while eating lunch that raised this question.

I suppose this is open to interpretation and discussion, but I argue that the Chevy Volt, for all its hype, is in fact a Hybrid, and is no different in principle than a Toyota Prius.  And therefore, should not qualify to be treated on the same playing field as say a 100% electric car like the Nissan Leaf.

Today up in Malibu, I noticed a parking spot with an electric charging port front and center in a parking lot.  In it was a Hybrid Chevy Volt.  The Volt runs on both electricity as well as gasoline.  When the electric power runs out, the gasoline engine kicks in and produces electricity like a generator, recharging the batteries.  In addition, and I point out that General Motors has been very quiet about this, that same gasoline engine kicks in at higher speeds, delivering power to the drive wheels.  This mere fact makes the Chevy Volt a Hybrid car that switches power back and forth from electricity to gasoline, just like a normal Prius.  So why, I ask, is a Hybrid allowed to park in a parking space reserved for a pure electric car? 

As stated earlier, the Mercedes F-Cell doesn't need to be recharged as it creates electricity on board using hydrogen.  And I would never park in such a spot because a real electric battery powered car, with its need to be constantly recharged, has a greater pragmatic necessity for this plug.  Yet based on the mere fact that this silly Volt hybrid CAN ELECT to be recharged if it wants to, it is "allowed" to park in a space reserved for pure electric cars. If I was the driver of a Nissan Leaf or a Tesla Roadster, which are both bona fide 100% electric vehicles, I would be irate if I found this Volt sitting in my space, especially if I needed a recharge.  The hybrid Volt can get home so long as it's got gas to burn, but the Leaf is dependent upon electric charges. 

Volt drivers need to get over themselves and understand that they drive a plug in hybrid.  When you're at home or at your office and you have a dedicated plug in facility specific to your own car, plug away!  But when you're in a public space, leave these spaces for REAL electric cars that depend on them for mere survival.  Volt drivers need to learn this etiquette, something that I hope my fellow F-Cell and other Fuel Cell drivers also respect.  Part of the advantage of Fuel Cell technology means we don't have to plug in, and we should respect those poor bastards that do ;)