The Queensland state government has announced fines for owners of non-electric vehicle who park illegally in electric vehicle charging bays, becoming the first government in Australia to do so.
Commonly known as “ICE-ing” (in reference to internal combustion engines), the annoying habit has frustrated EV owners, particularly as the number of EVs has grown significantly in recent years, and charging infrastructure has failed to catch up.
Queensland transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey said he was aware of the issue and knew it had been a pain point for the rapidly increasing number of Queensland EV drivers.
“I’ve traveled across Queensland and have heard first hand from EV owners that they often can’t get into charging spots due to other cars using them for parking, which is why we’ll be firmly cracking down on this behaviour.
“A penalty of $55 will apply for those who park a non-electric vehicle in an EV charging bays from Friday, 4 February – joining a number of new penalties rolled out on Queensland roads.
“You can’t leave your car parked at a petrol pump, so why should EV charging bays be any different.”
Bailey says the number of registered EVs on Queensland roads has jumped more than four fold in recent years to 7,110 vehicles, as at December 31.
Queensland has invested $5.3 million to construct 31 EV charging sites across Queensland, what it calls the Queensland Elecvtric Super Highway, and he says use of this network is at an all time home.
“We will continue to invest in these important initiatives and crack down on illegal parking at EV charging bays across the state,” he said.
Bailey also flagged a new Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy would be announced shortly, which would aim to break down barriers to purchasing an EV. Queensland is one of the few states that does not offer a rebate for the purchase of EVs. Rebates have recently been introduced in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of The Driven, and also edits and founded the Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites. He has been a journalist for nearly 40 years, is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review, and owns a Tesla Model 3.
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