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UK EV Drivers Face Fines for Parking in Charging Bays Without Plugging In

Stepped-up enforcement now brings council penalties of about £70 alongside £50–£100 charges from private operators.

Overview

  • Officers issue tickets when a vehicle in an EV bay is not connected to a charger, regardless of whether it could accept charge.
  • Some charging networks impose overstay fees once a session ends but the car remains in the bay.
  • Complaints about blocked charge points have surged as EV ownership grows in supermarkets and other public car parks.
  • Many sites display rules such as “active charging only” or time-limited stays during charging, with breaches treated as parking term violations.
  • Drivers are advised to use bays only while actively charging, check posted time limits, and move on promptly when charging completes.