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EV Drivers Fined for Parking in Private Car Parks, Some Notices Later Cancelled
Several electric vehicle owners received parking charge notices after using chargers in supermarket and hotel car parks. Some operators cancelled the fines while others upheld them. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government plans a new code for private parking standards later in 2026.
Jul 15, 2:00 AM·1m read1 source
The GuardianAudio version
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Several electric vehicle owners received parking charge notices after using chargers in private car parks, The Guardian reported. The motorists said signs failed to clarify that charging counted as parking subject to tariffs or store hours. Kevin Laban received a £70 notice after the Pod Point app directed him to an Aldi car park in Weymouth outside opening hours.
Aldi cancelled the notice after his complaint and stated that terms and conditions are clearly displayed. Pod Point said landowners are responsible for notices about parking charges. Clive Sanders received a £100 notice from Smart Parking in a Devon car park after paying only the charging fee.
InstaVolt provided a cancellation letter but Smart Parking refused. InstaVolt later offered Sanders a £50 credit. Smart Parking said the driver stayed nearly an hour without paying for parking. Anthony Stone received a £100 notice from Holiday Inn after using a charger without registering his number plate.
Holiday Inn said ANPR cameras do not distinguish between parking and charging and cancelled the notice after contact. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it plans to publish a new code to raise standards for private parking later in 2026.
