A total of 161,000 fines have been slapped on drivers for misusing electric vehicle (EV) charging bays since 2020, according to new research from car retailer cinch. The company submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all 218 upper-tier local authorities in the UK to reveal the extent of EV charging bay misuse.
Out of these, 194 responded, revealing where the most fines were issued and highlighting major inconsistencies in how councils enforce the rules. While some have dished out thousands of fines to drivers parking without charging, others confessed they don't enforce misuse at all.
With a surge in drivers opting for electric, access to public charging is becoming increasingly crucial. As the charging network expands, councils have also stepped up enforcement, cinch discovered.
Over the past five years, a whopping 161,303 fines were handed out to drivers misusing EV bays, with the number rising sharply year-on-year:
The data indicated that enforcement has ramped up significantly since 2020, as councils have become more proactive in safeguarding charging bays and ensuring they're available for drivers who need them most. Although the year-to-date figure for 2025 is lower than 2024's total, monthly averages tell a different tale.
Local authorities have handed out an average of 4,791 penalties each month so far in 2025, up from 3,844 monthly in 2024 - a rise of roughly 24.6%. Should present patterns persist, violations involving EV charging bays are set to surpass 57,000 fines before the year ends, hitting a record high.
Which councils are issuing the most fines for EV bay misuse
Authorities in London lead the rankings, though Newcastle and Coventry are notable as the sole councils beyond the south east appearing near the summit, cinch reported. Whilst a small number of councils have implemented genuine measures to prevent misuse, the majority have issued minimal or zero penalties, revealing a widespread absence of enforcement throughout the UK.
With over 1.3 million electric vehicles currently on British roads, the need for public charging points has reached unprecedented levels. There are currently more than 86,000 public charging stations, an increase from 50,000 in 2022.
cinch stated its research demonstrated that whilst enforcement was getting better, inconsistent regulations and ambiguous signposting continue to cause difficulties across regions of the UK. Introducing more uniform policies and enhanced public understanding could assist in making charging more straightforward and equitable for all, according to Ben Welham, motoring expert at cinch.
He said: "As the number of EV parking bays increases to meet demand, it's key that councils manage misuse. Otherwise, there's a risk of charging infrastructure being overwhelmed or drivers being turned off going electric."
Misuse hotspots
Only a handful of councils were able to provide detailed location-specific information, but where it was available, the extent of the problem became apparent, cinch reported. Millharbour in Tower Hamlets, London, racked up 664 penalties, making it among the most abused charging spots in Britain.
Meanwhile, in Brighton and Hove, seafront bays along King's Road saw 231 fines, highlighting the strain on chargers in areas popular with tourists.
Some local authorities acknowledged they don't currently police EV charging bays, frequently because Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) haven't been put in place yet or resources are stretched. Others said they "hold no data" on misuse. West Lothian Council, though, confirmed that whilst there's presently no enforcement of EV charging bays, officers are working on TROs for all existing locations.
This inconsistency in approach reflects the evolving nature of EV infrastructure nationwide. As more councils implement TROs and expand their charging networks, uniform enforcement will be crucial in ensuring fairness for all motorists.
cinch submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all 218 upper-tier local authorities across the UK, asking for data on penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued for misuse of electric vehicle (EV) charging bays from 2020 to 2025 year-to-date (YTD). The councils were asked to provide the number of fines issued each year, any available data on the value of the fines, and details of the specific charging bay locations where violations occurred.
The councils were also asked to confirm whether they currently enforce EV charging bays. As of October 21, 2025, 194 out of the 218 councils contacted responded with full, partial, or "data not held" responses.
All figures reflect the number of PCNs issued, not the number paid or successfully appealed. Some councils provided data based on financial years, which were included where comparable. The 2025 figures reflect year-to-date totals at the time of each response.