Motorists who park non plug-in vehicles in spaces that have a charger for electric cars might soon be fined automatically throughout the United Kingdom, rumours suggest. Why? To encourage them to park elsewhere so people in plug-in models can park conveniently, charge their batteries, then continue their journeys.
How parking bays works
Let us summarise how such a parking space might work. When a vehicle parks, a sensor integrated into the tarmac notes its presence. If the car is then connected to the charger within a specified time, there is no fine. Why? Because it is either an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid – and it is actively charging.
In contrast, if the car does not connect to the charger there is a fine. It might, for example be a petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicle that cannot physically connect. It is incapable of using the charger, in other words. In contrast, it might be an electric or plug-in hybrid car that could connect to the charger – but is not.
AppyWay is the company that has the technology to make such enforcement a reality. In fact, its sensors are already fitted to some parking bays – but not for this purpose. Among other things, the sensors help motorists find empty spaces with a smartphone app.
Enforcement likely
It is likely that electric charge bay enforcement will become common at some point. Why? Because the Government wants to encourage people to swap to clean cars that cannot emit the pollution that causes health issues (or emit very little). It is therefore keen to remove barriers that make some drivers reluctant.
Many people think it is tricky to find a public charger, for example. That is clearly a barrier to purchase. However, such concerns can be reduced if there is less chance of motorists in traditional cars using bays reserved for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The fear of being fined is a meaningful deterrent.
Plug-in cars becoming popular
Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles have become increasingly common in recent times. Consider figures for November 2020, for instance. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders confirmed:
- 10,345 new fully electric cars were registered compared to 4,652 in the equivalent month the previous year (+ 122.4%)
- 7,717 new plug-in hybrid cars were registered compared to 4,362 in November 2019 (+ 76.9%).
Popular vehicles include the: Nissan LEAF (electric), BMW i3 (electric), Renault Zoe (electric), Toyota Prius Plug-in (hybrid), and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (hybrid).