Electric vehicle owners are being hit with parking fines for charging in private car parks, as parking rules classify charging as parking. Drivers say signage is often unclear, leading to unexpected penalties.
Motorists Fined for Charging Outside Store Hours
Kevin Laban received a £70 parking charge notice after charging his EV in an Aldi car park in Weymouth while the store was closed. The Pod Point app directed him to the bay, but parking was not permitted outside store hours. Laban argued there were no signs on the charger or app stating the restriction. Aldi canceled the fine after he complained, insisting terms are clearly displayed.
Pod Point told Guardian Money that landowners are responsible for displaying parking restrictions, and some do not prominently detail relevant terms for EV drivers.
Charging Fee vs. Parking Fee Confusion
Clive Sanders received a £100 PCN from Smart Parking after charging his EV in a Devon car park. He paid the charging fee but not the parking tariff, as there was no indication on the InstaVolt charger that parking charges applied. InstaVolt said car park rules are set by the landowner and notices around chargers warn of restrictions. It offered Sanders a £50 credit after Guardian Money inquired.
Smart Parking stated drivers must check terms before using the car park, noting the driver stayed nearly an hour without paying for parking.
Multiple Contracts for a Single Charge
Anthony Stone was fined £100 after using a charger in a Holiday Inn car park without registering his number plate at the hotel. He questioned how many contracts a driver must enter to charge a vehicle. Holiday Inn said ANPR cameras do not distinguish between parking and charging, and the display screen instructs drivers to register for free parking. It canceled the PCN after Guardian Money intervened.
RAC Calls for Clearer Signage
The RAC said PCNs for charging are an increasing problem. Head of policy Simon Williams stated: 'Signage needs to be clearer, so drivers realise straight away whether they need to pay for parking, how long they can stay to charge and the hours of operation. Equally, charge point operators should add a warning to their devices and apps to make drivers aware.'
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said private car parks are governed by contract law and tariffs must be clearly displayed. It plans to publish a new code to raise standards for private parking later this year.
