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# Alternative fuel cars get free ride
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/alternative-fuel-cars-get-free-ride/
- Published: 2002-01-11T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T23:56:59.000Z
- Author: Andrew Fixmer
- Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import

Driving one of the many new electric hybrid cars? Well, parking has just been made a lot easier for you in Santa Monica.

The Santa Monica City Council waived parking fees for all alternative fuel vehicles at meters city-wide Tuesday night, following Los Angeles City’s example.

“The parking spaces, where they are located, can be used for any vehicle,” said mayor pro tem Kevin McKeown. “But we want those spaces specially designated for electric refilling stations used for electric vehicles.”

Drivers must display a Department of Motor Vehicle clean air decal to be able to park at on-street and off-street parking meters without putting coins into the meters. Vehicles displaying the decal will still have to comply with the two-hour posted time limit and parking restrictions. The decals also allow the cars to drive in high-occupancy lanes on freeways.

There was only minor opposition to the measure from a businessman along Montana Avenue that said two electric refilling stations were located in front of his store, making customers’ parking difficult.

But officials disputed the claim. “I think that this adds to Montana Avenue,” said McKeown. “It will become a destination point for electric powered vehicles and all the shops there will benefit from business from those owners. It’s a great trade-off for those parking spaces.”

One drawback to electric vehicles is that they have to be charged or drivers will be stranded. The city installed charging stations at six locations throughout Santa Monica, including a designated space on Montana Avenue at 11th Street, the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Place, City Hall and the airport. The problem is that often times, the spaces are taken by normal cars. City council has dedicated those spaces to electric vehicles only. And if more spaces are used as charging stations in the future, they would be dedicated to electric vehicles as well.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 11, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/011102.pdf?ref=smdp.com)