√ACT introduces fines for petrol and diesel cars parked in electric-car charging bays

The Australian Capital Territory has introduced the harshest penalties in Australia for drivers of petrol and diesel cars who block electric vehicles from charging, issuing fines of up to $3200 in extreme cases.

The Australian Capital Territory is the latest Australian jurisdiction to impose fines on drivers of petrol and diesel cars who block electric vehicles from charging, discreetly introducing a new law which could see fines of up to $3200 being issued.

Nicknamed ‘ICEing’ – referring to the internal-combustion engine (ICE) powering petrol and diesel vehicles – the practice leaves electric-car drivers unable to charge at dedicated locations, potentially forcing owners on flat batteries to wait for long periods until the charging bay is no longer blocked.

While the Australian Associated Press (AAP) – through Canberra publication City News – reports the new law was added to the ACT’s road rules “late last year”, government documents show the change became effective in May 2022.

According to the ACT’s most recent road rules, drivers of petrol and diesel cars can be fined up to 20 ‘penalty units’ – worth $160 each – for parking in a space designated for electric vehicles, bringing the maximum monetary fine up to $3200.

It’s worth noting the fine can also be issued to drivers of electric cars who are parked in a charging bay without using the infrastructure to charge their vehicle’s battery.

MORE: It’s official – ACT to ban petrol and diesel cars from 2035

As previously reported, the offence is also publishable in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, with varying penalties in each jurisdiction.

In New South Wales, the maximum penalty for breaking the new law – which was made in November 2022 – is 20 ‘penalty units’. Worth $110 each in the state, the 20 penalty units would result in a maximum fine of $2200.

While Drive originally reported Queensland motorists have faced $55 fines for the practice since February 2022, the state’s road rules say drivers can be issued up to 20 penalty units – worth $143.75 each – with a maximum fine of $2875.

Victoria only issues a maximum of two penalty units for ‘ICEing’, worth $184.92 each or $369.84 when both are issued.

The post ACT introduces fines for petrol and diesel cars parked in electric-car charging bays appeared first on Drive.