Driving electric is increasingly becoming the norm, and for drivers who have already made the switch to an EV, this also means that you will regularly need to park your car at a charging station. But what about paying for parking while charging? Unfortunately, there is no uniform rule in Belgium. Each municipal authority imposes different regulations. The result: confusion and potentially even fines for those who do not check properly. We take a closer look in this blog article.
Parking Policy Is Set Locally
It is important to know: there is no Flemish or federal regulation that determines whether you have to pay to park while charging. “Parking policy is part of local mobility policy. It is therefore municipalities and cities themselves that decide on this,” says Nathalie Debast from the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities.
What is clear according to the Highway Code: Anyone parking in a spot specifically designated for electric vehicles must actually be charging. Otherwise, you are not allowed to remain parked there. This applies to both fully electric vehicles and hybrids.
Different Parking Rules in the Largest Flemish Cities
Parking Rules in Brussels and the Rest of the Country
In Brussels , you can currently still park for free while your car is connected to and charging at a public charging station. However, a form of rotation fee also applies here: parking.brussels can fine you if your car remains parked after it has been fully charged.
Unfortunately, municipal parking rules regarding spots with charging stations are generally not easy to find online. That is why we provide a few important reminders below if you want to park at such a location.
Rules of Thumb for Parking at a Public Charging Station
Since there are no uniform national regulations, it is important to follow some golden rules. Keep these tips in mind when parking at a spot with a public charging station:
The key piece of advice from local authorities and police: Always check the signs and additional panels near charging stations!
If the sign says “paid” or “ticket,” then you need to pay.
If there is a parking disc sign, use your blue parking disc.
If the sign says “taxi” or “shared cars,” then the spot is exclusively reserved for those vehicles.
By following these tips, you can avoid unpleasant surprises and charge your EV at public stations with peace of mind!
Source: GVA.be