EV Drivers Warned Over Unexpected Parking Charges At Public Chargers

Electric vehicle drivers are being warned that plugging into a public charger does not necessarily mean they can ignore the parking rules that apply to the car park.

A number of motorists have received parking charge notices after using EV chargers, with drivers claiming that signs and charging apps do not always make restrictions clear. In some cases, motorists have been caught out by car parks that close outside business hours, while others have been unaware that a separate parking fee or registration was required alongside the cost of charging.

One recent case involved a driver who spent just 16 minutes charging his electric car at a supermarket car park outside of opening hours. He was subsequently issued with a £90 parking charge, reduced to £45 if paid within 14 days. The driver said the charging session itself cost around 53p and described the parking charge as "excessive".

Although the charge was later cancelled, the incident highlights a wider issue for EV owners. Charging points can appear on apps as available to use around the clock, while the car park containing them may have separate restrictions on when vehicles are allowed to enter or park.

Other motorists have reported similar experiences, including one driver who received a £70 charge after using an EV charger at a supermarket car park after the store had closed. Another was issued with a £100 notice after paying for charging but failing to pay a separate parking tariff. There have also been cases where drivers have been required to register their vehicle before charging. One motorist received a £100 charge after using a charger at a hotel car park without registering his number plate.

The problem is partly caused by the different responsibilities involved in providing public charging. Landowners set the parking conditions, while charge point operators provide the charging service and advertise the availability of their equipment. This can create confusion when an app suggests a charger is available, but the associated car park has restrictions that are not clearly communicated to drivers.

The RAC has called for clearer information for motorists using public charging infrastructure. “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,” said its head of policy, Simon Williams. “Equally, charge point operators should add a warning to their devices and apps to make drivers aware.”

Current rules mean private car parks operate under contract law, with parking tariffs and conditions required to be clearly displayed. However, the experiences of EV drivers suggest there can still be a disconnect between charging information and parking restrictions. As the UK continues to expand its public charging network, clearer communication between landowners, charging operators and drivers could become increasingly important.

For EV owners, the message is simple: finding an available charger is not necessarily enough. Before plugging in, drivers should check the parking signs, opening hours, time limits and any requirement to register or pay separately for parking.