Parked Self Charging Electric Vehicle in a Train Station Car Park in an Electric Charging Bay

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

I confirm I have read the newbies post - cant see anything that applies

Self Charging EV parked in EV charging space (that has a charger next to it) at a train station on 13 October 2023.  Just received a "Final Chance before Action" letter from Park Watch - it isnt even clear which location I parked ! I know that I was on the train that day.  No previous letter received no option to pay £40 discount = threat of debt collector "shortly".

This company look like an IPC member.  

Question is - I have an electric vehicle, be it self charging, why can I not park in an EV space ?!!?

How to deal with ??

paulstevens64

You can't park in an EV space because you are selfishly blocking up a charging bay intended for full electric/PHEV cars to use, and taking a charging unit out of action for the time that you park there.

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

paulstevens64 said:

You can't park in an EV space because you are selfishly blocking up a charging bay intended for full electric/PHEV cars to use, and taking a charging unit out of action for the time that you park there.

So are you suggesting that I should pay the illegal PCN.  The signage says that the parking bays are for Electric Vehicles only.  I have got an Electric Vehicle

Wonka_2

paulstevens64 said:

You can't park in an EV space because you are selfishly blocking up a charging bay intended for full electric/PHEV cars to use, and taking a charging unit out of action for the time that you park there.

Nice moral argument but not sure it has much legal standing.

@the_wheels_have_fallen_of did the signage make any reference other than an EV e.g. 'whilst plugged into a charger/whilst using a charger' etc ?

Brie

paulstevens64 said:

You can't park in an EV space because you are selfishly blocking up a charging bay intended for full electric/PHEV cars to use, and taking a charging unit out of action for the time that you park there.

What happens if you do park your EV to charge and then get on the train to go to work for the day?  Presumably charging doesn't take the full day (but what do I know) so there would be a portion where the car is not actually being charged?  Is there a time limit for using those spaces??

Fruitcake

It is not illegal.
The information in the NEWBIES is relevant.
Nobody is suggesting that you pay an unregulated private parking company.
It is being pointed out that charging an electric vehicle is not the same as parking in a charging bay. One is refuelling, one is preventing others from using the charging bay.

If however the driver did not realise they were parking in an electric charging bay then the signage must have been inadequate.

If the car park is a railway asset, then it is covered by railway byelaws meaning that the keeper cannot be held liable, therefore the driver's identity is not revealed.

Which PPC, and which car park. It may have cropped up here before.

Is the address on the vehicle V5C correct? The usual reason for not getting previous documents is because the V5C has not been updated after moving home. Don't guess; go an dig it out to check. If it is incorrect then send a rectification notice to the DPO of the PPC instructing them to erase your data and replace it with your current address for service. Make sure you use the word I have highlighted. You will need to include non-photo proof of ID with your instruction.

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

Brie said:

paulstevens64 said:

You can't park in an EV space because you are selfishly blocking up a charging bay intended for full electric/PHEV cars to use, and taking a charging unit out of action for the time that you park there.

What happens if you do park your EV to charge and then get on the train to go to work for the day?  Presumably charging doesn't take the full day (but what do I know) so there would be a portion where the car is not actually being charged?  Is there a time limit for using those spaces??

Charging absolutely doesnt take the full day ... I used to have a PHEV before this car - park in the same EV space, connect the vehicle, get back after working and then the charger says "uncharged there is a fault" etc etc

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

Fruitcake said:

It is not illegal.
The information in the NEWBIES is relevant.
Nobody is suggesting that you pay an unregulated private parking company.
It is being pointed out that charging an electric vehicle is not the same as parking in a charging bay. One is refuelling, one is preventing others from using the charging bay.

If however the driver did not realise they were parking in an electric charging bay then the signage must have been inadequate.

If the car park is a railway asset, then it is covered by railway byelaws meaning that the keeper cannot be held liable, therefore the driver's identity is not revealed.

Which PPC, and which car park. It may have cropped up here before.

Is the address on the vehicle V5C correct? The usual reason for not getting previous documents is because the V5C has not been updated after moving home. Don't guess; go an dig it out to check. If it is incorrect then send a rectification notice to the DPO of the PPC instructing them to erase your data and replace it with your current address for service. Make sure you use the word I have highlighted. You will need to include non-photo proof of ID with your instruction.

Thanks @fruitcake I am going to go back to the Station later on today whilst still light to check the signage exactly and to take a photograph of it which I will post here.  This is Defence Systems Ltd (T/A Park Watch) who are an IPC member.  The train station car park is Newton-Le-Willows in the North West of England.  PS the train station car park is a free one.

The address on the V5C is correct I have checked it as I only bought the car in question in August this year.  Thank you for your help.

400ixl

the_wheels_have_fallen_of said:

 I have got an Electric Vehicle

Only in the very loosest of terms. From your description you have a petrol / diesel hybrid vehicle with which self charges a mild EV battery WITHOUT the ability to plug in.

EV bays are for those vehicles required to plug in. Whether the sign says that outright maybe your way to not pay the fine, great. 

Please don't be the one who parks in EV designated bays when they have no use of the charging infrastructure. Even worse if it is a free car park anyway.

Its like having a child seat in your car when you have no child to park in the family bays.

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

400ixl said:

the_wheels_have_fallen_of said:

 I have got an Electric Vehicle

Only in the very loosest of terms. From your description you have a petrol / diesel hybrid vehicle with which self charges a mild EV battery WITHOUT the ability to plug in.

EV bays are for those vehicles required to plug in. Whether the sign says that outright maybe your way to not pay the fine, great. 

Please don't be the one who parks in EV designated bays when they have no use of the charging infrastructure. Even worse if it is a free car park anyway.

Its like having a child seat in your car when you have no child to park in the family bays.

I suppose when you put it like that thats fair - I am the first to moan at the supermarket when folk do it.  I do have a childseat in my car, but I dont park in the parent bays without my daughter.  I will check the signage at the station to see what it says and take photos.

Coupon-mad

This isn't a fine. Ignore it unless they try a court claim which we see off 99% of the time, and very often without a hearing.