UK councils are introducing their own EV charging overstay fines

Various councils up and down the UK have introduced penalties to prevent electric car drivers from hogging charge point bays. Brought in on 1 April 2023 (though apparently not an April Fools' Day joke), under new rules set out in 2022, local authorities now have the power to fine drivers for overstaying when charging.

The costs of the fines vary from council to council, in true British joined-up thinking. Staying longer than one hour in Aberdeen will cost £30 but in Sheffield, the fine is only £20. Like all nascent regulations though, it’s currently as clear as mud. 

For a start, charging for overstaying isn’t actually a new thing. BP Pulse, the network formally known as BP Chargemaster, which also incorporates the Polar Network, has a £10 per hour overstay fee if you stay more than 90 minutes after starting to charge. 

However, buried deep in the T&Cs — ah, we love a good legalese hunt — this fee only applies to ultra-fast chargers. And there’s been no real clarification as to which chargers these charges will apply to. 

Similarly, Tesla charges overstayers 50p per minute, or as much as £1 per minute, if there are no other bays free. 

Niall Riddell, boss of fleet optimisation platform, Paua, said of the new fines: "Electric vehicle chargers are a valuable resource. When a motorist has finished using one they should move on and make it available for others. But overstay fees need to be very clearly indicated in the signage so drivers don't receive unexpected fines.

"Also charge point operators should consider having a sliding scale of fines, so drivers don't face a hefty one for overstaying an extra minute."

What do we reckon though folks? Are fines for overstaying necessary here in the UK?