Electric vehicle owners risk parking fines even while charging

Electric vehicle owners in Denmark may face parking fines even if their car is plugged into a charger, the Danish motoring organization FDM has warned following a court ruling in Randers.

A driver received a 510 kroner fine despite the vehicle being connected to a charger and the parking disc correctly set, because the car was not actively charging when inspected. The Randers court ruled that merely being connected to a charging station is insufficient, contradicting Transport Ministry guidance issued in 2022.

FDM’s chief consultant Dennis Lange stated that the ruling requires continuous active charging for the duration of parking to avoid penalties. He advised drivers to avoid using such charging spaces if possible, citing the risk of unexpected interruptions due to faults in the charger, vehicle, or power grid.

Lange also highlighted a conflict with EU requirements for new chargers to automatically pause and resume charging based on grid demand, warning that drivers could be fined for factors beyond their control.

FDM expressed concern that the ruling could discourage electric vehicle adoption, as potential parking fines may make ownership less attractive. The organization plans to engage in dialogue with the Transport Ministry to address the issue.