South Australia has just announced two new parking violations to stop non-electric vehicle owners from parking on charging sites, which is widely known as “ICEing and EV squatting.”
What is ICEing and EV squatting?
“ICEing” refers to non-electric vehicle drivers’ habit of parking in designated charging areas, blocking electric vehicle owners from using the charger.
It would be similar to parking electric vehicles at gas stations and leaving them while shopping. However, it is worse for EV drivers because there are far fewer chargers than gas pumps.
Meanwhile, EV squatting is the act of parking an electric vehicle at a charging infrastructure even without the intention of charging it.
These unfortunate habits result in anger among drivers who need to charge their EVs, commonly referred to as “charger rage.”
Rule highlights
According to The Driven, the state government formally declared the new parking rules over the Easter weekend. It essentially restricts traditional internal combustion engine-powered vehicles from parking in charging sites designated for electric vehicles only.
Under the new rules, violators must pay an on-the-spot fine of $75. The fine for electric vehicles parked at charging sites without charging is higher – $111.
Local councils plan to dispatch signage alongside electric vehicle parking and charging bays to inform and remind drivers of the new parking rules.
South Australia believes that these two new parking offences will help solve the growing issues of ICEing and squatting in electric vehicle charging sites. By doing so, the state can enable a more convenient charging experience for EV drivers and encourage more people to join the shift to electric mobility.
