Parking your internal combustion engine car in a space dedicated to electric vehicle charging isn’t just considered rude.
Called ICEing, it has become a problem many state governments are tackling with fines to discourage the practice.
The National Transportation Commission is expected to present an electric vehicle package to the national Transport Ministers at some point.
After the Commission offers its EV package, several states will determine whether to introduce corresponding laws and fines.
Currently, different jurisdictions have different penalties on the books, with some states imposing fines as high as $3,200 for motorists who improperly park in an electric vehicle charging station.
According to an Electric Vehicle Council report published last October, there were 3700 public chargers in more than 2100 locations across Australia.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory government introduced the law in May 2022 and added it to the ACT road rules late last year.
It can see fined drivers $3200 to park the car in the electric vehicle charging compartment.
It is also important to note that the ACT Government is target by 2030 so that 80-90% of its new car sales are zero-emission vehicles, including electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
New South Wales
The New South Wales state government introduced fines in November 2022 for people parking illegally in electric vehicle charging stations. It can cost up to $2200.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory has yet to announce fines related to ICEing.
Queensland
The Queensland Government introduced fines in early 2022 for drivers who park in electric vehicle charging bays without charging their vehicle. Drivers can be fined up to $2875.
When the fines were introduced in January 2022, Major Roads and Transport Minister Mark Bailey said: “You can’t leave your car parked at a gas station, so why should EV charging bays be different? Go?”
South Australia
The South Australian Government does not currently have any fines related to drivers parking illegally at designated electric vehicle charging stations, however this could also change in the future.
A spokesperson for the City of Adelaide said: “We are currently monitoring EV spaces on the road according to the time limit shown on the sign and can expire if a vehicle is past this limit.
“Over the past 3 years, we have received about 50 inquiries about Non-Electric Vehicles using charged parking or staying overtime.”
tasmania
Tasmania does not currently have any associated fines for ICE violators, however this could change in the future.
“A national approach to parking legislation regarding electric vehicle charging stations will be underway and will be considered at a future Transport and Infrastructure Ministers Meeting,” a a spokesman for the Ministry of State Development said auto expert.
“The State Development Department has not received any reports or complaints recorded from EV drivers unable to use designated EV parking spots in Tasmania.”
Victoria
The Victorian government is the state with the longest fines for drivers parking in electric vehicle charging stations.
It introduced fines in November 2020, at the time charging drivers only $99 for the offence.
Today’s fine is $370.
Western Australia
Western Australia has yet to announce ICEing-related fines.
The City of Perth doesn’t have a specific fine for ICE, but if you park your vehicle “not following the signs that apply to where the vehicle is stopped or parked” you could be fined $60.
