More than 161,000 fines have been issued in the UK since 2020 for misuse of electric vehicle (EV) charging bays, according to freedom of information (FOI) requests.
The data from 194 local authorities reveals a sharp rise in enforcement. Fines climbed from 8,642 in 2020 to 46,128 in 2024 — with year-to-date figures in 2025 already averaging nearly 4,800 fines a month, according to the used car website Cinch.
While some councils are actively penalising misuse — making the charging bays more effective for EV drivers — many still record little or no enforcement due to lack of traffic regulation orders or inconsistent policy.
Top 10 councils issuing the most fines for EV bay misuse (2020–2025)
• Newcastle upon Tyne City Council – 19,404 fines
• Coventry City Council – 15,261 fines
• Westminster City Council – 13,511 fines
• Surrey County Council – 5,740 fines
• Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council – 5,366 fines
• Camden Borough Council – 5,301 fines
• Ealing Borough Council – 5,250 fines
• Haringey Borough Council – 5,121 fines
• Wandsworth Borough Council – 4,465 fines
• Bexley Borough Council – 4,330 fines
