My co-worker (mid-60s male) drives a huge truck. I recently took the plunge and got a mini electric SUV. Ever since, he calls me "the fridge driver," which is kind of funny, I'll give him that.

Once, I forgot to charge at home and arrived at work with 22% battery. I noticed a 220v outlet very close to my parking spot, so I took the charger to see if it was connected and it worked! I didn't want to get in trouble, so I emailed the facilities team asking for permission. They pretty much said, "We don't care, don't email us anymore."

My parking spot was very close to the entrance, and my boomer friend, let's call him Jack, uses a cane and parks at the very end of the garage. I switched spots with him, and he's been very nice to me ever since (this comes back later).

I charge my car twice a week on average, so I've been getting free mobility for about 6 months. Another co-worker got an F-150 Lightning, and I was telling her over lunch that she could use my parking spot on the days I'm not there (I only go to the office twice a week). Our boomer friend was there too.

I went to show her where the outlet was, and Jack decided to tag along. The whole time he was like, "Hey, this used to be my parking spot." My friend was low on battery and my car was already full, so we switched right there. Jack was making jokes that she drives a more "manly" car than I do. He asked questions about how much money we were saving. I said about $80 a week, my co-worker said she used to spend about $100 a week, and that this will be a life-changer.

What followed is the weirdest man-child behavior I've seen:

  1. He emailed pictures of both cars charging to my supervisor, asking if this was allowed. I was contacted and showed my supervisor the email from the facilities team.
  2. He asked for his spot back. My manager checked with me if I was okay sharing the spot so Jack could charge his car. I told him he drives a Dodge Ram, it's not electric.
  3. He proceeded to ask for a $5,000 a year gift card to a gas station so he could commute to work for free.
  4. He filed a complaint with HR stating he's been discriminated against for being old and refusing to adopt "a woke liberal mentality."
  5. He goes daily to take pictures of whichever car is charging in the spot.
  6. He stopped talking to us altogether. Not even a "good morning."
  7. He threatened to sue the company after HR rejected his claim.

Update $80 and 100 is what we used to spend with a gas car. On EV at ome charging it's like $10 - 1 $15 a week.