Parking officers are pulling the figural plug on electric vehicle owners who abuse Newport Beach’s public charging stations.
The city will begin issuing overstay fees for electric vehicles left plugged in at public charging stations starting April 22. Owners whose vehicles are parked at the stalls unnecessarily will be fined $0.10 for every minute their vehicles are left plugged into a charging station once fully charged.
The city council adopted the new rules during its March 23 meeting.
“Parking spaces designated for use of public electric vehicle charging stations are intended to be occupied only while the station is in active use,” the ordinance states. “Encouraging turnover at parking spaces designated for use of public electric vehicle charging stations is necessary to maximize station access.”
Owners will be given a 10-minute grace period to remove their vehicles before the charges are initiated.
There are currently existing laws that fine vehicles $61 for parking in electric vehicle spaces without actively using them.
Newport Beach’s charging stations are “network-connected” and can automatically charge drivers for overstaying in a parking space.
The city owns and operates electric vehicle charging stations on properties including the Civic Center, Newport Coast Community Center, Oasis Senior Center, and Marina Park.
