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Electric vehicle parking should be straightforward: find a charger, connect the car, pay what is due, and leave when charging finishes.
In practice, though, every site seems to have its own signs, time limits and enforcement arrangements. A bay that looks available may carry restrictions hidden on a nearby post or charger screen.
The basic principle is that an EV charging bay is typically intended for active charging rather than general parking. Owning an electric car does not automatically create a right to use every marked EV space.
That’s why, before parking, drivers should check the bay markings, operating hours, payment terms and maximum-stay conditions. They should also confirm whether the site requires the vehicle to remain connected and actively charging throughout the stay.
ICE-ing occurs when a petrol or diesel vehicle occupies an EV charging bay. This prevents an electric car from accessing the charger.
Basically, the term comes from “internal combustion engine”, but the same practical problem occurs when an EV occupies the bay without charging, which anyway blocks the connector.
Although frustration is understandable, not every blocked bay is the result of deliberate misuse. In some cases, faulty chargers, poor signage, and confusing parking layout are also responsible.
EV drivers can also use Parksy to locate and book a suitable EV parking space in advance, reducing the risk of arriving at a charging bay that is blocked or unavailable.
Additionally, where the signage was ambiguous, or the bay was genuinely difficult to locate and interpret, presenting clear photographs and a well-drafted parking fine appeal letter may help the driver get the charges cancelled.
The rules also differ between council-operated parking, privately managed car parks, supermarkets, motorway services and workplace sites.
Therefore, ICE-ing does not always result in the same type of penalty. A council may enforce the restriction through a traffic order, while private operators usually rely on the parking terms displayed on site.
Unless local signs or conditions say otherwise, EV drivers can use ordinary parking spaces. In general, there is no requirement to choose a charging bay simply because the vehicle is electric.
An ordinary space is usually the better option when charging is unnecessary because it keeps the charger available for someone who needs it.
Usually, a charging bay can be used when the vehicle is connected, and a valid charging session has started.
An active charging session doesn’t make the parking free. Some locations charge separately for electricity and parking, while others include a limited parking period in the charging price. So, it is important to focus on the small print.
Public chargepoints may be located in council car parks, supermarket sites, hotels, service areas and on public roads.
The Public Charge Point Regulations primarily address the consumer experience, including payment, pricing, reliability and access to charging information. They do not need to create a universal right to park beside a charger without complying with local restrictions.
An EV should not remain in a charging bay simply because the vehicle matches the symbol painted on the ground. If the sign says “electric vehicles charging only,” the car will normally need to be connected and actively charging. Parking without starting a session may lead to enforcement.
A completed charge does not always allow the vehicle to remain until the driver returns. Some bays have an overall maximum stay, while others introduce an idle or overstay fee after charging ends. Rapid-charging hubs may impose shorter limits to maintain vehicle turnover.
| Parking Situation | Usually Acceptable? | Main Risk |
| EV in an ordinary unrestricted space | Yes | Normal parking charges and time limits still apply |
| EV connected with an active session | Usually | Separate parking fees or maximum-stay rules |
| EV in a charging bay but not connected | Usually not | PCN or private parking charge |
| EV left after charging has finished | Depends | Overstay fee, idle fee or parking charge |
| Petrol or diesel car in an EV-only bay | Usually not | Enforcement for ICE-ing |
| EV displaying a Blue Badge in an EV bay | Depends | Badge concessions may not override charging conditions |
A Blue Badge does not automatically override the conditions of an EV charging bay. Badge holders should still check whether the vehicle must be connected and actively charging, whether a maximum stay applies and whether the local authority or site operator offers a specific exemption.
The sign beside the bay is more reliable than the paint colour, the charging app description, or another driver’s previous experience. Site terms can change without a major alteration to the bay’s appearance.
At the outset, overstay fees exist to stop drivers treating public chargers as long-stay parking spaces. Once charging has finished, the connector remains unavailable even though no useful energy is moving.
Some charging networks apply an idle fee when a battery is full or a blocking fee once the vehicle has occupied the charger for a fixed period. The precise trigger and rate depend on the network’s terms.
As of 13 August 2026, Shell distinguishes between idle fees charged when a battery is full and blocking fees charged after a fixed period. The company notes that blocking fees may vary by operator or roaming partner.
Also, Tesla UK separately applies congestion fees at busy Supercharger sites when a charging session has ended, or the battery has reached the applicable charge level. This is subject to a five-minute grace period. Drivers should therefore check the current terms shown by the specific charging network before leaving their vehicle.
An overstay, idle or blocking fee is not necessarily the same as a Penalty Charge Notice. The charging provider may add a fee to the customer’s charging account, while a council or private parking operator may issue a separate notice for breaching the parking restrictions. In some locations, both sets of conditions apply.
Before leaving the vehicle, drivers should take three quick steps:
The bay sign may set a parking limit, operating hours or a separate payment requirement that does not appear clearly in the charging app. Check both sources before leaving the vehicle, but treat the on-site parking terms as essential.
In general, some systems start charging shortly after the session ends rather than when the cable is disconnected.
The receipt can show –
A driver accused of misusing an EV charging bay may receive a council Penalty Charge Notice or a private Parking Charge Notice, depending on who manages the site. The correct challenge process therefore comprises the following steps:
A council-issued Penalty Charge Notice is subject to a statutory challenge process, whereas a private Parking Charge Notice is governed by the operator’s displayed contractual terms. Therefore, each notice has a different appeal route. While the similar initials may confuse you, the legal bases remain different.
Gathering evidence is a crucial step of the appeal. Here you specifically need photographs of the bay, nearby signs, faded markings, charger error messages, and the vehicle’s position
The screenshots from the charging app are also important here as they show that a genuine session was in progress. It also shows whether it failed unexpectedly or ended at a different time from the operator’s allegation.
To ensure that the challenge remains factual, do the following:
Arguments based only on fairness are generally less persuasive than evidence of unclear signage, a faulty charger, incorrect timing, payment failure or an enforcement error.
A council notice usually explains an informal challenge, formal representation and the tribunal appeal. It helps ensure that appeals are made on time.
The private notices, on the other hand, should also outline the operator’s internal appeal procedure and any independent appeal service. This also helps you avoid any unnecessary delays and paying extra fines.
EV bays are not ownership perks. Rather, they are working parts of the charging network. This means access depends on –
Drivers should plug in only when charging, monitor the session and move the vehicle when the site rules require it. Enforcement must also be accurate, and so is the signage. Because when either fails, a calm, evidence-led challenge gives the driver the strongest position.
That’s why you must check the sign, maintain your charging record and separate any fees paid for overstaying from the regular parking fee-related notices. This small bit of discipline prevents the most expensive surprises later.
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By Daniel Battaglia, Founder of Parksy
Daniel Battaglia is the founder of Parksy, a global marketplace and driver-support platform for finding parking, understanding signs, and handling parking fines.
