You could be paying $2200 for failing to see this parking sign!

Parking laws can be tricky to remember, so it’s no surprise that every once in a while, an unusual sign may sneak past us. This fact should be even more evident when parking at an EV charging station.

That’s right, although it might not be widely known, an EV charging station parking spot requires a specific type of sign; otherwise, you could find yourself in hot water and even face a hefty fine.



A recent example was the story of an EV driver from Sydney. Wanting to charge his electric car in a charging spot, he found the spot occupied by two fuel vehicles.

He photographed the cars and the sign, which shows a large 4P within a 12-hour window and a car with an electric cord that reads 'Only while charging'.

It's unknown whether the two drivers intentionally parked in the spaces or were unaware of the signage.


Screen Shot 2023-09-01 at 3.12.27 PM.png
At first glance, the sign appears to be a regular four-hour parking window, but on closer inspection, the spaces are for electric vehicles only. Credit: X/fictillius.



His issue is not an isolated incident, as many EV drivers are also grappling with a shortage of public charging ports that are not keeping up with the rising EV sales in the country.

As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to surge, new penalties have emerged to support the transition to these options on Australian roads. Multiple states have instituted new regulations, imposing hefty fines on drivers found parked in spaces designated for electric vehicles or blocking EV charging stations.

The states of ACT, NSW, and QLD have taken the lead by introducing the highest penalties for obstructing charging stations, reaching up to 20 penalty points.



However, the fine amounts differ in each state due to varying unit prices. In the ACT, the penalty can amount to $3,200; in NSW, it's $2,200; and in QLD, it's $2,875. Meanwhile, in Victoria, misusing an electric vehicle’s charging spot results in a fine of $369, along with two penalty units.

Despite the hefty penalties, experts say that this new rule is important to prevent drivers from doing the equivalent of parking ‘in front of a fuel bowser’.

The fines apply not only to those who park non-electric vehicles in spots designated for electric cars but also to electric vehicle drivers who occupy these spots without actively recharging their vehicles.



According to Chris Jones, the National President of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, the penalties serve as a means to raise public awareness.

‘No one would like it if I parked my vehicle in front of a fuel bowser and walked inside and ordered lunch. There needs to be an acknowledgement that there are places you can park and places you can't, and right in front of an EV charger is one where you can't,’ he explained.

Key Takeaways

  • Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are being incorporated on kerbsides with specific parking signs, and not obeying these signs can result in high fines.
  • An incident was reported where two fuel vehicles parked in EV charging spaces.
  • Many EV drivers are struggling with a lack of public charging ports despite significant increases in EV sales in Australia.
  • The Australian government has introduced hefty fines for misuse of EV charging spaces and is taking steps to support the transition to electric vehicles.



Folks, familiarise yourself with any EV parking spot you see so you understand where you can and cannot park your car.

If you come across a mysterious 4P sign, give it a second look and check for any additional EV-specific requirements that may be in place. A few moments of investigation could save you hundreds and thousands of dollars.

We hope you found this article helpful! Good luck and stay safe on the road always, members!
 

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so where does the power for these curb side parking stations come from in the City ?
and charged to the user. To (fully) charge an EV from a pay site cost as it does to fill your car with fuel, it's more than double the cost of the (domestic) kW charge.
 
I'm questioning the legality of this whole thing. There is every indication that the charging stations are situated on a public street going by the photo.

If so, why is a private organisation, i.e. the charging station operator, conducting business on a public street, funded by the ALL of the public for the benefit of an "elite" few. Unless the parking space is limited for the disabled or other legitimate purpose, all parking should be available to all motorists regardless of their car type and in accordance with existing laws.

Technically, this stinks of discrimination. If I still drove, my ICE vehicle would be parking in these spots if they were available and who's going to stop me?
unfortunatly everyone will agree but no-one listens .
 
There should be a reasonable-sized sign that says EV Vehicle charging ONLY. With no other statements on the sign to avoid confusion. Also, paint one on the ground like for disabled parking. I can't believe people don't see the charging stand at the end of the parking bay.
 
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Reactions: Rob44
The sign looks pretty clear to me, so long as you actually look at it
3 messages in one sign. That's communication! No parking this way, no parking that way unless charging. Parking only for 4 hours between 8am and 8pm (oh yes that's just for charging an EV). Whilst one might care to be self-righteous about such illegal parking and trice up the criminals on a triangle to receive 50 lashes in the good old convict tradition that founded Australia, perhaps one could also consider that the best form of communication is to keep it simple. That sign is not simple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 52KID
Parking laws can be tricky to remember, so it’s no surprise that every once in a while, an unusual sign may sneak past us. This fact should be even more evident when parking at an EV charging station.

That’s right, although it might not be widely known, an EV charging station parking spot requires a specific type of sign; otherwise, you could find yourself in hot water and even face a hefty fine.



A recent example was the story of an EV driver from Sydney. Wanting to charge his electric car in a charging spot, he found the spot occupied by two fuel vehicles.

He photographed the cars and the sign, which shows a large 4P within a 12-hour window and a car with an electric cord that reads 'Only while charging'.

It's unknown whether the two drivers intentionally parked in the spaces or were unaware of the signage.


View attachment 28889
At first glance, the sign appears to be a regular four-hour parking window, but on closer inspection, the spaces are for electric vehicles only. Credit: X/fictillius.



His issue is not an isolated incident, as many EV drivers are also grappling with a shortage of public charging ports that are not keeping up with the rising EV sales in the country.

As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to surge, new penalties have emerged to support the transition to these options on Australian roads. Multiple states have instituted new regulations, imposing hefty fines on drivers found parked in spaces designated for electric vehicles or blocking EV charging stations.

The states of ACT, NSW, and QLD have taken the lead by introducing the highest penalties for obstructing charging stations, reaching up to 20 penalty points.



However, the fine amounts differ in each state due to varying unit prices. In the ACT, the penalty can amount to $3,200; in NSW, it's $2,200; and in QLD, it's $2,875. Meanwhile, in Victoria, misusing an electric vehicle’s charging spot results in a fine of $369, along with two penalty units.

Despite the hefty penalties, experts say that this new rule is important to prevent drivers from doing the equivalent of parking ‘in front of a fuel bowser’.

The fines apply not only to those who park non-electric vehicles in spots designated for electric cars but also to electric vehicle drivers who occupy these spots without actively recharging their vehicles.



According to Chris Jones, the National President of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, the penalties serve as a means to raise public awareness.

‘No one would like it if I parked my vehicle in front of a fuel bowser and walked inside and ordered lunch. There needs to be an acknowledgement that there are places you can park and places you can't, and right in front of an EV charger is one where you can't,’ he explained.

Key Takeaways

  • Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are being incorporated on kerbsides with specific parking signs, and not obeying these signs can result in high fines.
  • An incident was reported where two fuel vehicles parked in EV charging spaces.
  • Many EV drivers are struggling with a lack of public charging ports despite significant increases in EV sales in Australia.
  • The Australian government has introduced hefty fines for misuse of EV charging spaces and is taking steps to support the transition to electric vehicles.



Folks, familiarise yourself with any EV parking spot you see so you understand where you can and cannot park your car.

If you come across a mysterious 4P sign, give it a second look and check for any additional EV-specific requirements that may be in place. A few moments of investigation could save you hundreds and thousands of dollars.

We hope you found this article helpful! Good luck and stay safe on the road always, members!
All E charging points should be placed at the farthest point in the car park from the destination after all they say they use these cars for environmental reasons so a long walk to the shops will be good for them.
 
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Reactions: Rob44
I'm questioning the legality of this whole thing. There is every indication that the charging stations are situated on a public street going by the photo.


If so, why is a private organisation, i.e. the charging station operator, conducting business on a public street, funded by the ALL of the public for the benefit of an "elite" few. Unless the parking space is limited for the disabled or other legitimate purpose, all parking should be available to all motorists regardless of their car type and in accordance with existing laws.

Technically, this stinks of discrimination. If I still drove, my ICE vehicle would be parking in these spots if they were available and who's going to stop me?

I'm questioning the legality of this whole thing. There is every indication that the charging stations are situated on a public street going by the photo.

If so, why is a private organisation, i.e. the charging station operator, conducting business on a public street, funded by the ALL of the public for the benefit of an "elite" few. Unless the parking space is limited for the disabled or other legitimate purpose, all parking should be available to all motorists regardless of their car type and in accordance with existing laws.

Technically, this stinks of discrimination. If I still drove, my ICE vehicle would be parking in these spots if they were available and who's going to stop me?
Really not sure if trying to be responsible and driving an EV makes you 'elite'.
No one will stop you being silly enough to park where you will be fined, and lose licence points. Go right ahead, then you won't be able to drive your ICE vehicle. Oh hang on, you don't drive anyway so this whole thing has nothing to do with you!
 
No one will stop you being silly enough to park where you will be fined, and lose licence points. Go right ahead, then you won't be able to drive your ICE vehicle. Oh hang on, you don't drive anyway so this whole thing has nothing to do with you!
It doesn't change the fact that this whole thing is discriminatory.
 
"There is every indication" means it appears to be so. Your post is evidence that comprehension is a dying art.

Geez! A zealot from the "Church of Climatology" whinging about whinging about "climate change".

It used to called "global warming" but the ones with half an ounce of intelligence would know the reason behind the name change. Apologies for the use of an imperial unit.

A far as the fine goes - fine me. Then send out a friendly reminder. Then another less than friendly reminder. That's where it stops - no more correspondence from the fine enforcement agency!
"There is every indication" means it appears to be so. Your post is evidence that comprehension is a dying art.

Geez! A zealot from the "Church of Climatology" whinging about whinging about "climate change".

It used to called "global warming" but the ones with half an ounce of intelligence would know the reason behind the name change. Apologies for the use of an imperial unit.

A far as the fine goes - fine me. Then send out a friendly reminder. Then another less than friendly reminder. That's where it stops - no more correspondence from the fine enforcement agency!
My statement was in relation to - “ If so, why is a private organisation, i.e. the charging station operator, conducting business on a public street, funded by the ALL of the public for the benefit of an "elite" few. Unless the parking space is limited for the disabled or other legitimate purpose, all parking should be available to all motorists regardless of their car type and in accordance with existing laws. “

I believe my comprehension of the article is spot on. I hope you do not fall victim to any of these climate change issues we are slowly seeing. You are probably one of the many who deny climate change and still grumble about supermarkets taking away plastic bags & charging for paper ones!

And just by the way, I’m not from the group you call “The church of climatology” but I do try to look after myself and others around me when it comes to doing some good that others MAY benefit from.

Have a nice day!
 
Parking laws can be tricky to remember, so it’s no surprise that every once in a while, an unusual sign may sneak past us. This fact should be even more evident when parking at an EV charging station.

That’s right, although it might not be widely known, an EV charging station parking spot requires a specific type of sign; otherwise, you could find yourself in hot water and even face a hefty fine.



A recent example was the story of an EV driver from Sydney. Wanting to charge his electric car in a charging spot, he found the spot occupied by two fuel vehicles.

He photographed the cars and the sign, which shows a large 4P within a 12-hour window and a car with an electric cord that reads 'Only while charging'.

It's unknown whether the two drivers intentionally parked in the spaces or were unaware of the signage.


View attachment 28889
At first glance, the sign appears to be a regular four-hour parking window, but on closer inspection, the spaces are for electric vehicles only. Credit: X/fictillius.



His issue is not an isolated incident, as many EV drivers are also grappling with a shortage of public charging ports that are not keeping up with the rising EV sales in the country.

As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to surge, new penalties have emerged to support the transition to these options on Australian roads. Multiple states have instituted new regulations, imposing hefty fines on drivers found parked in spaces designated for electric vehicles or blocking EV charging stations.

The states of ACT, NSW, and QLD have taken the lead by introducing the highest penalties for obstructing charging stations, reaching up to 20 penalty points.



However, the fine amounts differ in each state due to varying unit prices. In the ACT, the penalty can amount to $3,200; in NSW, it's $2,200; and in QLD, it's $2,875. Meanwhile, in Victoria, misusing an electric vehicle’s charging spot results in a fine of $369, along with two penalty units.

Despite the hefty penalties, experts say that this new rule is important to prevent drivers from doing the equivalent of parking ‘in front of a fuel bowser’.

The fines apply not only to those who park non-electric vehicles in spots designated for electric cars but also to electric vehicle drivers who occupy these spots without actively recharging their vehicles.



According to Chris Jones, the National President of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, the penalties serve as a means to raise public awareness.

‘No one would like it if I parked my vehicle in front of a fuel bowser and walked inside and ordered lunch. There needs to be an acknowledgement that there are places you can park and places you can't, and right in front of an EV charger is one where you can't,’ he explained.

Key Takeaways

  • Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are being incorporated on kerbsides with specific parking signs, and not obeying these signs can result in high fines.
  • An incident was reported where two fuel vehicles parked in EV charging spaces.
  • Many EV drivers are struggling with a lack of public charging ports despite significant increases in EV sales in Australia.
  • The Australian government has introduced hefty fines for misuse of EV charging spaces and is taking steps to support the transition to electric vehicles.



Folks, familiarise yourself with any EV parking spot you see so you understand where you can and cannot park your car.

If you come across a mysterious 4P sign, give it a second look and check for any additional EV-specific requirements that may be in place. A few moments of investigation could save you hundreds and thousands of dollars.

We hope you found this article helpful! Good luck and stay safe on the road always, members!
what about SA??
 

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