Petrol car blocking a charger ("ICEing")

"ICEing" (from internal combustion engine) is when a petrol or diesel car parks in a charging bay. Whether anything can be done depends on who owns the bay.

Council-run charging bays

Many councils make on-street and car park charging bays "electric vehicle charging only" through a traffic regulation order. Where that order exists and signs are in place, the council's civil enforcement officers can issue a penalty charge notice. Report the vehicle to the council's parking team, usually through its website.

Private car parks

Supermarkets, retail parks, hotels and motorway services set their own rules. Many use parking enforcement companies that can issue parking charges for misuse of EV bays. Tell the site staff or the car park operator.

Superchargers

Tesla Supercharger bays are on private land. Report persistent blocking to the site (for example the services or retail park) and to Tesla through the app.

What not to do

• Don't confront the driver.
• Don't leave notes on windscreens that could be read as threats, or damage the car.
• Don't block the car in.

Finding another charger

Every charger page lists the nearest alternatives. On busy routes, the car's navigation shows live availability at Superchargers.