It is now illegal to park your car in an EV space without charging it

As of October 1, 2023, any car parked in a space designated for EV charging must be plugged in or the owner may return to a fine or their car being towed.

You may be aware that it’s already an offence to park a petrol- or diesel-powered vehicle in an area reserved for electric cars, such as public charging stations.

However, the New Zealand Government has now amended legislation to punish any vehicle, including EVs and plug-in hybrids, that is parked at a charging station and isn’t using it.

The amended Land Transport (Road User) Rule states: “Without limiting subclause (1), a driver or person in charge of a vehicle must not stop, stand, or park the vehicle in any parking area reserved for the charging of electric vehicles unless – (a) the vehicle is an electric vehicle; and (b) the person is using the area for charging the vehicle.”

What isn’t clear though is how the law will be enforced and what happens if an EV has completed charging before the owner returns but it is still plugged in.