The goal of a healthy environment, reduced dependence on foreign oil and skyrocketing gas prices has inspired many people and organizations to purchase electric vehicles. The Department of Defense has expanded their fleet of electric vehicles to more than 3,000 cars. As a matter of fact, many members of the Air Force are choosing electric vehicles for their privately owned vehicles.
Since EVs have a limited range of travel before recharging, some March Air Reserve Base members, who own EVs, have resorted to using on-base charging facilities. While DOD is leading the way in their use of electric vehicles, it cannot be viewed as an authorization to plug electric POVs into government charging stations, here at March. While the cost of charging an EV may only be a few dollars, that money adds up over time and is an unauthorized expense to the government.
Plugging a privately owned electric vehicle into a government charging station is a misappropriation of funds, meaning it is a theft from the U.S. Government and can be prosecuted as such.
“The Air Force is currently developing guidance concerning on-base charging stations for electric POVs,” said Maj. Deric Prescott, 452d Air Mobility Wing Staff Judge Advocate. “However, until there is authorization from the Air Force allowing electric POVs access to government charging stations, the practice is prohibited. At this point in time, the owner of an electric POV bares the financial responsibility to charge their vehicle off-base.”
