Note: For more from Alexandra, visit the "Ask Alexandra" tab on the Chevrolet Volt Facebook page.

In California electric cars must technically have a ZEV parking decal on their rear window or bumper to avoid getting a ticket for parking at a spot reserved for electric vehicles. I drove my RAV 4 EV for four years before I got one and probably never received a ticket because that car had lots of stickers on it saying it was a electric vehicle. When I did hear about the decal, I sent away for one, mostly because I liked stickers as a kid and now, as an adult, there is nothing that pleases me more than a decal that say “zero emissions” on it. By the way, in case you are wondering (because I was), the word "decal" comes from the term decalcomania.

I sent my $17 check in recently so I could get a sticker for my Volt. The original law specifies that “For purposes of this section, ‘Zero-Emission Vehicle’ means any car, truck, or any other vehicle that produces no tailpipe or evaporative emissions,” so range extended vehicles like the Volt don’t qualify, but I thought I’d see if anything had changed. Today, my Plug In America newsletter informs me nothing has changed – yet. However, the California Assembly Transportation Committee has unanimously approved AB 475, which would expand the original law to include plug-in hybrids' eligibility for the sticker. This would legalize their parking at public chargers and EV parking spaces.

For the last decade, as long as the parking violations cop easily recognized your car as electric, no tickets were generally issued at EV parking spots, decal or no decal.  However, as more and more plug-in vehicles flood the market, it will become increasingly important for drivers to follow the letter of the law. My friend Chris just got ticketed when he parked his Leaf in a public charging spot, and he did not have a decal. Not only are municipalities writing more tickets to help with budget deficits, but traffic cops will be less lenient with electric vehicles as they become more mainstream. Most of the plug-in cars coming into the market are unassuming: no emblazoned emblems loudly touting their EV-ness, so they are harder to differentiate at first glance from a gas vehicle.

Check with your local DMV about any necessary permits to park at public chargers in your state.

Alexandra Paul is a longtime electric vehicle advocate, actress and former EV1 driver. She is working with Chevrolet to educate consumers about EVs and the Volt. Full disclosure, Chevrolet is paying her for her time, but her opinions will always be hers.

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