LAX to end free electric car parking

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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Some electric-car owners hope Los Angeles International Airport officials change their minds about eliminating free parking for their green vehicles in March.

The operators of LAX announced they will end the policy of free parking for vehicles at 38 electric charging stations in two separate lots.

The airport said the decision was made for revenue reasons and to eliminate the growing crowd of electric cars silently circling the lot waiting for a coveted free spot to open up.

"That was a huge reason why I bought the car in the first place," said Jack Luu, a Toyota Prius owner and frequent flyer who saves as much as $30 per day parking at an LAX charging station.

The airport authority told The Wall Street Journal the airport can use the additional parking revenue and had earlier eliminated free parking for cars with handicap placards.

The Journal said airport parking was not a huge deal when electric cars first hit the market, which allowed LAX to offer up to 30 days free parking. But the number of electric vehicles has since grown and the demand for free spots has increased as well.

Some electric-car owners proposed increasing the number of charging stations at the airport.

"If they're trying to get people to drive green cars and reduce the pollution, shouldn't the policy be applicable to the whole terminal?" said Nissan Leaf driver Jack Sheng.