Electric vehicles are growing in popularity, and charging stations are popping up across Britain to meet rising demand.
But beware the EV bay: if you’re not entitled to use it, or you break the rules, you risk a hefty fine or a nasty ‘idle fee’ that increases the longer you’re parked there.
Regulations are constantly changing, so here’s a run-through of the dos and don’ts of parking in a UK EV bay.
Is it illegal to park in an EV parking spot?
An EV bay is a parking space with a charging station next to it. Its purpose is to let drivers plug in, charge, and go. Whether you can park in an EV bay isn’t so much a legal question as it’s about whether you’ll be fined for doing so.
If you park a petrol or diesel car there, or leave your electric car beyond the time limit, you could be slapped with a fine. Likewise, if your car is still parked there after it hits 100% charge, you will get a ticket.
Public road bays vs private car park bays
The type of fine you receive depends on where the parking bay is. If the council issues a fine, it’s a penalty charge notice (PCN).
On private land such as a supermarket car park, parking operators enforce the rules under contract law, not criminal law. In this case, you’ll get a private parking charge for contravening the rules.
The cost of a council-issued car parking ticket in the UK:
- In England and Wales, the fee is £70, dropping to £35 if you pay within 14 days.
- Most Scottish councils charge around £60-£80.
- In Northern Ireland, the fee is around £60.
Supermarkets and motorway services charge even more. A private fine can range from £60 to £100.
Rapid-charger operators like Tesla or Gridserve add ‘idle fees’ of up to £1 per minute once your battery is fully charged.
How councils police EV charging bays
Councils can only ticket a car parked in an EV bay if a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) exists.
A TRO is a legal order that regulates road use, including parking restrictions. The order should define where and when the rules apply and which vehicles or people are affected.
For this to work, the right signage must warn drivers of the restrictions, for example: “EVs only, actively charging, 2-hour limit.” If the right signage and wording are in place, a traffic warden can take a photo of your car in situ and issue a PCN code 14 immediately.
To avoid any confusion about where you can and cannot park, many car park managers and charging point providers pay for professional EV floor graphics and signage. If you have to guess the difference between a standard car parking spot and an EV charging bay, you may have grounds to challenge a fine.
Can you challenge a PCN?
On public roads, an EV charging restriction must have a legal basis and be conveyed by the appropriate signs and bay markings.
If the required signs or markings are missing, unclear or inconsistent with the restriction, you may have grounds to challenge a council-issued PCN, but the outcome depends on the circumstances.
Signage defects account for most PCN 14 challenges. If you’ve received a ticket and believe the signage is incorrect, take a photo of the bay.
‘Broken charger’ claims rarely work unless you can prove that you called the helpline and left as soon as possible. If that fails, though, it’s easier to just pay the 50% rate, since it’s usually cheaper than making a legal case.
Private car parks generally operate under different enforcement arrangements and signage requirements.
What counts as ‘actively charging’?
PCN code 14 defines ‘actively charging’ as ‘electrons flowing’. So if your cable is unplugged, your battery is already at 100%, or the post has tripped out, you are no longer an authorised user at the bay.
Once you are no longer actively charging, you can be ticketed instantly.
Because the bay is classed as a refuelling point and not a standard parking place, there’s no statutory grace period. Even a five-minute lull is enough to be ticketed.
So if the charger display says 0 kW, it’s time to move on.
Read more: Electric car charging etiquette explained
Blue badge holders and shared-use bays
A blue badge alone doesn’t permit you to park in an EV charging bay.
Of course, if you have a blue badge and drive an EV, nothing should stop you from charging there. In some parts of the country, there are charging spaces reserved specifically for blue badge holders.
Check the signage at and around the charging station before you leave your car. And be sure to leave the space as soon as you’ve finished charging or you’ve reached the time restriction.
Keep reading: Is there a universal EV charging bay symbol?
Common questions on EV bay rules
EV bay rules are as new as the charging stations themselves, so this emerging topic raises many questions.
You might find some of your questions here.
Can you park in an electric bay without charging?
EV bays are designed for charging, not parking. They aren’t the same as a disabled bay, which is a designated parking spot adapted for drivers and passengers who need more space. If you park in an EV bay without charging, you risk a fine.
Do you have to pay for parking while charging an EV?
Car park charges vary, so check the local regulations. Many allow free parking while you charge, but others may charge a discounted fee.
Can a petrol car park in an electric bay?
No, a petrol (or diesel) vehicle should not park in an electric bay. This is known as ICE-ing (parking an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle in a space reserved for EV vehicles), and offenders risk a fine if they are caught.
How long can you park in an electric car space without charging?
Once your car has finished charging, you must exit the space promptly. If you leave your car parked there once it’s at 100% or the post has tripped out, the landowner may fine you.
Can a hybrid car park in an electric bay?
You may park your plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in an EV bay while charging. However, self-charging hybrids aren’t allowed to park in EV charging spots because they aren’t actively charging.
