--- title: "ICE-ing EVs Can Net Up to a $3,200 Fine" description: "In four different Australian states and territories, parking a combustion car in a public charging spot can result in heavy fines." date: "2023-03-19" modified: "2023-03-19" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ice-ing-evs-can-net-up-to-a-3200-fine" categories: - "News" --- # ICE-ing EVs Can Net Up to a $3,200 Fine ![]() *Photo | Getty Images* The current[ public EV charging ]()infrastructure is scarce enough without having internal combustion engine (ICE) cars taking up charging spots. While there may have been some confusion when public car charging first hit the scene, there really isn't much of an excuse for parking an [ICE car]() in an EV charging spot anymore. Which is why, according to [*ABC News*](), in certain parts of Australia, you can actually be fined for doing so, up to $3,200. Four of Australia's states and territories—Australia Capital Territory (ACT), Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), and Queensland—have introduced fines for parking an ICE car in an EV charging spot. The fines range from the lowest in Victoria ($369), to the highest in ACT ($3,200) for what is now called "ICE-ing." The fines are doled out in penalty units, which are standardized amounts of money used to calculate fine costs and their values are different based on state or territory. For instance, in Victoria, the current penalty unit value is $184.92, so if someone is charged with ten penalty units, they would have to pay $1,849.20. ![]() **Photo | Getty Images** If these fines seem a bit steep for simply parking in the wrong spot, Australian Electric Vehicle Association national president Chris Jones said they're necessary to educate the public. "There needs to be an acknowledgement that there are places you can park and places you can't, and right in front of an EV charger is one where you can't." Jones told *ABC News*. The reason for Australia's emphasis on this issue is the scarcity of public chargers relative to EV customers. According to Electric Vehicle Council policy head Jake Whitehead, there are around 80,000 EVs in Australia and open public chargers are already hard to come by. So a parking mistake by a combustion car owner might seem trivial to them but isn't trivial to an EV owner in desperate need of a charge. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()