EV drivers have been warned that they risk a £180 fine and pints on their licence for falling foul of a little-known charging law.
Owners of electric cars could be slapped with penalties for putting other road users in danger simply by plugging their motors in to fill up.
GettyEV drivers have been warned they face £180 in fines for improper roadside charging[/caption]
Home charging is often hailed as a practical and affordable way to run an EV, with domestic prices far lower than those offered by commercial chargers.
But many don’t realise that it’s not just as simple as hooking up the cable and leaving it to its work.
Thom Groot, CEO of The Electric Car Scheme urged drivers to be cautious or else face mounting costs.
He pointed out that ruled 239 of the Highway Code actually makes it an offence to leave you charging cables lying dangerously across the footpath or road.
This, he explained, is because it constitutes “leaving your vehicle in a dangerous position”.
As punishment, offenders can expect a fine of up to £130 and three penalty points on their licence.
They could even be slapped with a second penalty, this time for £50, for “negligent use of a motor vehicle”.
Thom added: “The cold weather can create all sorts of hazards for pedestrians, like the slippery leaves on the pavements, icy pathways, and even reduced visibility.
“So, while the cold might have you rushing to plug your car in, it’s important to make sure that you haven’t left the cables lying around for someone to trip over.
“The Highway Code rule 239 states that you should park close to the charge point and avoid creating a trip hazard for pedestrians from trailing cables.
“After using the charge point, you should return the charging cables and connectors neatly to minimise the danger to pedestrians.”
And he also gave out some top tips for running your EV when the temperature drops.
These include preheating the battery to aid charging, parking in a covered/sheltered area when possible and even choosing a model with an inbuilt heat pump.
It comes after motorists were warned that a simple “thank you” could end up costing them £1,000 under another often-forgotten road law.
Five tips for running an EV in the cold
1. Pre-heat the battery – this can usually be done using the ‘pre-conditioning’ setting on the linked app
2. Choose a model with a heat pump – this can boost range and aid charging
3. Change tyres – make sure to check the tread depth is above the legal limit and consider winter tyres.
4. Keep the car warm – park in covered area or garage where possible
5. Check windscreen essentials – wiper, screenwash, antifreeze