Electric Car Drivers Getting Preferential Parking At Some PATCO Stations

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) - Call it one small step in the name of sustainable energy.

PATCO is setting aside a few parking spaces for owners of electric cars, a move that could lead to a lot more.

Granted two spaces at five stations might not sound like a big deal, but it's a start.

The action was proposed by Nicole Campion, a newly hired associate engineer at PATCO.

"A few years ago, hybrid vehicles were all the rage. Now you're seeing more electric vehicles popping up," she tells KYW Newsradio. "So we're just trying to stay with the trend and see if our ridership would appreciate more accommodations."

John Hanson, CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority, which owns and operates the PATCO line, says riders will get a chance to chime in on the future:

"We also have a survey that's going out to our riders to determine their interest in this. And if there is interest, there's a possibility that we would do charging stations or some other type of amenities to support these environmentally sustainable vehicles."

Among those other options being pondered, increasing the number of parking spots set aside for electric vehicles. There are several thousand available at the Lindenwold, Ashland, Woodcrest, Haddonfield and Westmont stations where the plan is being rolled out.

The specially allocated spaces will be in place starting August 15th.