More than 140,000 drivers across the UK have been hit with fines for parking in electric vehicle charging bays without authorisation, new data reveals.
The crackdown, which targets drivers of petrol and diesel cars, has seen a dramatic surge in Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) being issued by local councils. Offenders face a standard £70 fine for misusing the specialist bays in England and Wales.
The Surge in EV Bay Misuse Fines
The scale of the issue has grown exponentially in recent years. In 2020, councils issued a relatively modest 8,642 fines for this offence. However, this figure skyrocketed to 46,128 last year.
By August of this year, councils had already handed out a further 38,326 fines. On average, authorities are now issuing about 4,791 fines per month in 2025, a significant increase from the 3,844 per month average recorded in 2024.
Councils Taking a Firm Stance
Several local authorities have emerged as particularly active in their enforcement efforts. Newcastle City Council has reported a staggering 19,404 penalties, while Coventry City Council in the West Midlands has issued 15,261 fines.
Westminster City Council is another major enforcer, having issued 13,511 penalty notices to drivers incorrectly using EV charging spaces.
Councillor Paul Driscoll, who oversees climate action at Ealing Council, stated the authority makes "no apology" for the crackdown.
“We make no apology for taking robust action against those who misuse EV charging bays,” said Driscoll. “Over the past five years, we have issued more than 5,000 penalty charge notices (PCNs) to ensure charging bays remain available for those who genuinely need them.”
He emphasised that their enforcement is “fair and proportionate,” using clear signage and regular patrols to deter misuse, which he said undermines investment in sustainable transport.
National Support for Enforcement
The firm stance is echoed by councils across the country. Councillor Trevor Muten, at Brighton and Hove City Council, highlighted the importance of the city's extensive charging network, which includes over 500 charge points with plans to add another 7,000.
“It’s important people park correctly so that bays are left available for EV owners to charge their vehicles,” Muten stated.
A spokesman for Bexley Council reinforced this, saying: “We enforce designated EV bays to ensure they remain available for EV drivers to park and charge, consistent with how we manage other restricted bays, such as residential permit bays and disabled bays.”
Similarly, a Tower Hamlets Council spokesman advised: “Cars incorrectly parked in EV bays are issued PCNs. It is essential that drivers check local signs before parking, to avoid penalty notices from being issued.”
Some councils, however, are trialling alternative approaches. A Surrey County Council spokesman explained that, based on resident feedback, they are trialling installing some EV bays without changing local parking restrictions, aiming to provide access for those who need to charge without reducing parking for other drivers.
The message from authorities is clear: with the rapid expansion of the UK's electric vehicle infrastructure, ensuring charging points are accessible for their intended purpose is a top priority, and drivers of conventional vehicles who ignore the rules will face financial penalties.
