With the democratization of electric and hybrid cars, we’re seeing a proliferation of charging stations taking up many of the parking spaces currently reserved for them. Faced with this new phenomenon, motorists who drive internal combustion engine cars now have fewer parking spaces, and some do not hesitate to use the spaces provided for electric vehicles.

However, this practice of improper parking, often called “ICEing” in English, is prohibited by the Road Traffic Regulations: indeed, it is forbidden to park in a place designated for charging electric vehicles, if you are not using the charging station. Therefore, this offense applies to both owners of thermal and electric cars.

Selfish ICE car owners own Ice-ing Teslas from Supercharging in China 🇨🇳 even with a floor lock. Any other solution for this? @teslacn #You are here #Supercharger #ice #China #Problems of the First World #特斯啦 #中国 $TSLA pic.twitter.com/yov4xzLnFX

— Jay in Shanghai Electric Jay (@JayinShanghai) October 9, 2020

Incorrect parking: incorrectly occupied charging stations

In practice, parking at a charging station without using it is a violation of the Traffic Rules. This is defined by Article R417-10, which provides that: “Parking a vehicle in front of devices intended for recharging electric vehicles is considered an obstruction to public traffic”.

However, the penalty for practiceice are rare. In practice, the Traffic Rules provide that: “Any inconvenient stopping or parking under this article shall be punishable by the fine prescribed for fines of the second class”. This is a completely fixed fine of only 35 euros a little off putting for offenders.

Outside of our regions, some governments are much stricter on this issue: on the other side of the world, in Australiayou expose yourself large fines if you park at an electric charging station without using it to charge your electric or hybrid vehicle.

Hard parking at charging stations: Australia is taking action

Indeed, even if it is still little known to Australian motorists, the penalty for such an offense has decided to hit very hard: you face a fine of up to AUD 3200 (approx. 2000 euros) for illegally occupying the location of the electric charging station!

In practice, a fine is provided for this offense varies by state and territory in Australia : it’s $369 (around €200) in Victoria, $2,200 (around €1,400) in New South Wales, $2,875 (around €1,800) in Queensland and up to $3,200 (around €2,000) in the Australian Capital Territory. (Canberra).

Jake Whitehead, head of policy at the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia, said the fines were significant “very clear and strong signal” : “Every available charger is important and valuable to the country’s fleet of approximately 80,000 electric vehicles, and we must ensure that they are not blocked, whether on purpose or by accident.”– he specified.