parking charge letter - Electric car charging during restricted parking times

RoyceCoolage

I don’t think this has come up on here from using the search, so I hope the post is acceptable.

The registered keeper has received a parking charge letter from UKPC stating that the vehicle was on the property (a retail park) during restricted no parking period (10pm-8am). The vehicle was being charged at that time using an electric vehicle rapid charger. The registered keeper was not driving the vehicle at the time, and the driver has not been identified - the letter asks the keeper to pay, or identify the driver.

The vehicle was on site during the restricted time, but not parked, it was being charged - the driver was present with the vehicle the whole time. I have records to show that the vehicle was being charged at the time and location in question.

I presume the correct course of action is still to complain to the landowner in the first instance, while not disclosing the identity of the driver? I feel that the charge point company might also be a good place to contact as I don’t suppose they will like the bad press/lack of custom from when we never use their chargers again.

Any further advice would be welcome. Thank you.

Umkomaas

On whose premises is the charge point sited?

We have had a few similar EV cases. It's likely incurred because the store is closed and the PPC's ANPRs are programmed to pick up and issue charges for any entries after the closure time. 

The store should be able to cancel. 

RoyceCoolage

Umkomaas said:

On whose premises is the charge point sited?

We have had a few similar EV cases. It's likely incurred because the store is closed and the PPC's ANPRs are programmed to pick up and issue charges for any entries after the closure time. 

The store should be able to cancel. 

Thank you for your quick response. The charge point is directly outside Sports Direct, but there are lots of stores on the retail park. Would it be best to contact Sports Direct in the first instance rather than the retail park landowner then?

RoyceCoolage

I have found the landowner and an email address for the agent, so I will start with them and see how I get on.

Umkomaas

I don't think we've ever seen SD particularly helpful. I'd also look to see if there's a Managing Agent involved - check the totem pole signage at the entrance to the retail park, that often shows the MA's name. 

Coupon-mad

Some similar threads:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5830338/parking-fine-for-charging-an-electric-car

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6266632/ev-charging-at-tesco

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6298425/pcn-parkingeye-novotel-ipswich-centre-ev-charging

I Googled to find them, as it's easier than faffing with the over-complicated forum search!

Fruitcake

You are correct that you should start with a landowner complaint. We always suggest that posters complain to their MPs as well. In your case you might want to complain to the minister for the environment, minister for transport, and any others that might be relevant.


We keep getting told to reduce fossil fuel consumption and use renewable energy, but people will be discouraged if "refuelling" comes with an additional £100 charge every time. My personal opinion is that recharging is not parking, and it should be exempt from parking charges.

You might want to contact local and national press about this issue as well, as it is discouraging the use of electric vehicles.

RoyceCoolage

Fruitcake said:

You are correct that you should start with a landowner complaint. We always suggest that posters complain to their MPs as well. In your case you might want to complain to the minister for the environment, minister for transport, and any others that might be relevant.


We keep getting told to reduce fossil fuel consumption and use renewable energy, but people will be discouraged if "refuelling" comes with an additional £100 charge every time. My personal opinion is that recharging is not parking, and it should be exempt from parking charges.

You might want to contact local and national press about this issue as well, as it is discouraging the use of electric vehicles.

Thanks, I have emailed the agent for the retail park, and the charge point operator and will see what response I get from them. This happened while on holiday, so I’m not sure how my MP would be able to help as it didn’t occur in their constituency. Depending on the response I get, I think it’s a good idea of yours to contact the minister for env/transport as well as press. I might contact the env/transport minister even if I get this revoked as it is a really bad look for EV charging.

Thanks again, I will update as things progress.

Half_way

Did you place the vehicle in a bay/ area for ev charging? And if so then it's possible that the vehicle wasn't in the car park area under the  control of the PPC as it had left the PPC area and entered the ev charge company's area

RoyceCoolage

Half_way said:

Did you place the vehicle in a bay/ area for ev charging? And if so then it's possible that the vehicle wasn't in the car park area under the  control of the PPC as it had left the PPC area and entered the ev charge company's area

Thanks that’s a useful point to bear in mind. Yes, the vehicle was in a marked EV charge bay, being charged at the time.

Fruitcake

Your MP looks after your interests. You can ask them to forward your complaint to the MP of the constituency where the alleged event happened, pointing out you are disinclined to go back and spend money there if it comes with a £100 charge when you want to refuel and help the environment. 
You can ask them to contact the Secretary for State of relevant ministries such as energy, transport, and environment.