Electric vehicle owner fined $200 for overstaying charging spot at Chadstone Shopping Centre

An electric vehicle owner received a $200 fine for leaving their fully charged car plugged in for hours at Chadstone Shopping Centre during the busy Christmas shopping period. The fees, known as idle fees, are charged to discourage prolonged use of charging bays. Idle fees typically cost $1 per minute and have sparked discussions about charging etiquette among EV drivers. The Electric Vehicle Council has urged owners to be considerate and avoid overstaying at charging stations, especially during peak times. Idle fees were first introduced in Western Australia in mid-2023 and are expected to expand across Australia. The number of public charging stations has nearly doubled in the past year to meet growing demand as electric vehicle sales continue to rise.