Parking your combustion-powered car in a space dedicated to electric vehicle charging isn’t just called being rude.
Referred to as ICEing, it has become an issue that various state governments are addressing with fines to discourage the practice.
The National Transport Commission is expected to present an electric vehicle package to the National Transport Ministers at some point.
Once the Commission delivers its EV package, some states will determine if corresponding laws and fines should be introduced.
For now, different jurisdictions have different fines on the books, with some states applying a fine as high as $3200 for drivers who incorrectly park in electric vehicle charging stations.
According to an Electric Vehicle Council report published in October last year, there were 3700 public chargers in over 2100 locations across Australia.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory government introduced a law in May 2022 and added it to its ACT road rules late last year.
It can see drivers being fined $3200 for parking in electric vehicle charging bays.
It’s also worth noting that the ACT Government is aiming by 2030 to have 80-90 per cent of its new vehicle sales to consist of zero-emission vehicles, including battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell cars.
New South Wales
The New South Wales state government introduced a fine in November 2022 for those illegally parking in electric vehicle charging stations. It can cost up to $2200.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is yet to publicly announce a fine related to ICEing.
Queensland
The Queensland Government introduced fines in early 2022 that apply to drivers who park in electric vehicle charging bays without charging their vehicle. Drivers can face a fine of up to $2875.
When the fine was introduced in January 2022, Transport and Main Roads minister Mark Bailey said: “You can’t leave your car parked at a petrol pump, so why should EV charging bays be any different?”
South Australia
The South Australian Government currently does not have any related fines associated with drivers illegally parking in designated electric vehicle charging stations, however this may also change in the future.
“We currently monitor on-street EV spaces on the time limit displayed on the signage and can expiate if a vehicle overstays this period,” said a spokesperson for the City of Adelaide.
“Over the last 3 years we have received approximately 50 queries about non-Electric Vehicles utilising charging parking spaces or overstaying the time allowed.”
Tasmania
Tasmania currently doesn’t have any related fines for offenders of ICEing, however this may change in the future.
“A national approach to parking laws regarding electric vehicle charging bays will be progressed and subject to consideration at a future Infrastructure and Transport Minister’s Meeting,” a spokesperson for the Department of State Growth told CarExpert.
“The Department of State Growth has not received any documented reports or complaints from EV drivers who have been unable to use designated EV parking spots in Tasmania.”
Victoria
The Victorian Government is the state with the longest running fine for drivers who park in electric vehicle charging stations.
It introduced the fine in November 2020, at the time charging drivers just $99 for the offence.
The fine today is $370.
Western Australia
Western Australia is yet to publicly announce a fine related to ICEing.
The City of Perth doesn’t have a specific fine for ICEing, but if you park “otherwise than in accordance with a sign applying to the place where the vehicle is stopped or parked” you may be fined $60.
