EV drivers have been left fuming after a council parking sign blunder made it impossible for them to use their battery cars.
One disgruntled motorist in Norwich noticed the mistake on one of the authority’s parking signs in Eaton Park.
GoogleA motorist was stunned to see the signs about car weights in Norwich[/caption]
John Fielding was confused to find a weight restriction had been placed on one of the car parks by the city council.
A sign put up at the site closest to Colman Road prohibited any vehicles over 1,524kg (1.5 tonnes).
But this essentially meant that the majority of electric cars were susceptible to a ban with EV’s weighing an average of 200-300kg more than traditional motors.
The heavy battery systems of electric vehicles tend to make them heavier than their petrol or diesel equivalents.
Most EV’s range from between 1,500 and 2000kg (two tonnes).
Insurance firm Admiral reports that EVs weigh an average of 200-300kg more.
John, who himself owns a 2.2-tonne Tesla Model 3, raised concerns about the restrictions.
He told the Eastern Daily Press: “What have the council got against electric cars?”
And a spokesman for Norwich City Council admitted to the outlet that the signs were a mistake.
In a statement, he said: “Following our relatively recent decision to introduce charges at Eaton Park to bring in money to help pay for essential council services, it was always our plan to review its progress.
“Part of this will include reviewing any weight restrictions for cars on our signage as we fully acknowledge the issues this presents with electric vehicles.
“In the meantime, we want to reassure any park users who plan to park at Eaton that we will not be taking enforcement action on cars that exceed the weight limit.”
Parking fees were controversially introduced at Eaton Park in March 2023.
It became the first city park to charge for parking, with the council using it as a way to raise £50,000.
Charges start at £2 for up to four hours and apply from 9am to 9pm Monday to Sunday.
There is an option for regular users to purchase a season ticket, which is £40 for six months or £70 for a year.
This comes as other electric vehicle owners share the ups and downs of their experiences.
One woman has shared her top tips on driving an electric car for first time buyers – don’t be caught out.
In a helpful video uploaded on YouTube, content creator Linn, @darbinorvar, shared all her advice from charging to driving style.
Meanwhile, EV drivers have been urged to follow FIVE steps this winter to keep them safe on the road – or risk being stranded.
As temperatures plummet, electric cars can struggle to perform with the same efficiency, but these tips could save you £1,000s.