A Black woman claims a white couple knowingly unplugged her electric car, sparking a tense situation that worsened when a police officer was called in to mediate.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have surged in popularity as consumers embrace environmentally friendly alternatives. With the introduction of more affordable models boasting improved battery ranges and the expansion of charging station networks, EVs have become more accessible.
Charging an EV, however, can take anywhere from one to 11 hours, depending on the vehicle’s battery and the charging station’s power level. For many drivers, securing a spot at a charging station, especially a convenient one, is crucial.
A Routine Charge Turns Chaotic
In a viral TikTok video, user Tiny (@reality.tiny) recounts an incident involving her electric car. She explains that she and her fiancé have a daily routine: after picking him up from work, they stop to charge her vehicle. How often an EV needs charging depends on the battery size and daily usage. Most modern EVs can travel over 200 miles per charge, meaning drivers who average about 30 miles a day usually only need to charge every few days.
While some EV owners opt for the convenience of home charging stations, many still rely on public chargers located at malls, gas stations, and other shared spaces—settings where tensions can sometimes arise.
Charging an Electric Car Turns into a Heated Confrontation
Charging an electric vehicle (EV) can take anywhere from an hour to 11 hours, depending on the car and the power level of the charging station. Securing a charging spot, especially at a busy location, can be crucial—and tensions can quickly escalate if that spot is disrupted.
A Routine Charging Session Gone Wrong
In a viral TikTok, user Tiny (@reality.tiny) shared her daily routine with her fiancé: after picking him up from work, they stop to charge her electric car. Tiny explained that while her car isn’t usually on the verge of running out, she likes to keep it charged since they don’t have access to a home charger.
However, this particular day took an unexpected turn. Tiny and her fiancé had already waited nearly an hour for the lone charger at a hotel to become available. After plugging in their car, they stepped inside the hotel to use the restrooms.
While inside, Tiny received a notification showing she had been charged only $3—far less than expected. Suspicious, her fiancé noticed the car’s charger had been unplugged.
Confrontation Over the Charger
Tiny approached the owner of another vehicle—a white man accompanied by a woman—and confronted him about unplugging her car while it was still charging. Initially, the man claimed ignorance, stating the charger appeared “available.” However, Tiny had proof: a receipt showing her car was actively charging when the charger was removed.
Even if it had been available, Tiny noted, unplugging someone else’s car is inherently disrespectful. The man then shifted the argument to the $3 charge, implying Tiny and her fiancé were upset about the small amount.
Involving the Police
The situation escalated when the woman accompanying the man called over a nearby police officer. Tiny, aware of the risks Black individuals face in encounters with law enforcement, urged her fiancé to remain calm.
Tiny described how the officer, hand already on his gun, approached the scene. Despite her efforts to explain, she felt the officer was dismissive and focused on circling their vehicle, seemingly searching for something incriminating. The final blow came when the officer insinuated they couldn’t afford the charge, a remark Tiny called blatantly racist.
At her fiancé’s insistence, the couple decided to leave the scene and find another charging station, despite feeling the outcome was deeply unfair. In an Instagram message to the Daily Dot, Tiny stated, “I knew after getting profiled, there was nothing else that could be done.”
Reactions to the Incident
Tiny’s TikTok has garnered over 28,000 views, sparking widespread concern and discussion in the comments.
- “It’s already starting,” one commenter wrote.
- Another advised, “File a complaint against the officer. The hotel should have cameras. Be informed!”
- Others stressed caution: “In the future, if you can’t reason with the officer, ask for a supervisor or remove yourself from the situation. It could’ve gone left real fast.”
Tiny’s story highlights the challenges—and risks—that can arise in everyday situations for marginalized communities, even in something as routine as charging an EV.
