Parking fine for charging an electric car

Guys_Dad

I hate a mystery, so I rang the hotel for clarification. The person answering the phone says the "there is some discussion going on, it was Novotel HQ who has made the arrangements with Chargemaster, EV drivers need not be guests to use the charger and they wouldn't have to pay but the local General Manager has the gen on tthis and will be back on Thursday next from annual leave". In addition, she said that users should inform reception where they will be put on a separate list from guests who otherwise incur the £4 parking fee.

As I suspected, the Ultracharger has recently been installed and Chargemaster are installing a number of Ultrachargers throughout UK. I suspect that the parking signs and contracts with the PPCs have not been updated.

see here https://chargemasterplc.com/news/

But more relevant is this article https://www.owler.com/reports/chargemaster/chargemaster-blog-chargemaster-partners-with-ibis-/1467942440532 where it states "Chargemaster, the UK's largest supplier and operator of electric vehicle (EV) charging points has partnered with AccorHotels, owner of ibis and Novotel, to offer EV charging points at its hotels across the UK.Rolling out at the beginning of 2016, the first phase will see 60 hotels receive EV charging points as part of Chargemaster's POLAR network. The charging points will be free to use for ibis and Novotel visitors to charge their electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles."

So we need a better definition of free to use. Personally, I have no problem in paying for the electricity charges and would not necessarily expect a free charge (but wouldn't turn it down either !)

It is important for EV drivers to know what the regime with such partnerships are to avoid conflict with PPCs, but most hoteliers and their staff are not up to date with electric vehicle matters.

I might just check up with the general manager in a couple of weeks.