TRENTON, N.J. — A new bill proposed in the New Jersey Legislature by Clinton Calabrese (D) aims to prevent non-electric vehicles from occupying parking spaces designated for electric vehicle (EV) charging by introducing penalties for violators.
The legislation prohibits individuals from parking in EV charging locations if their vehicle is not electric, provided the spot is clearly marked as a charging location, designated for electric vehicle use only, and indicates that violators are subject to penalties.
Under the initially proposed bill, an “electric vehicle charging location” is defined as a publicly accessible parking space with visible signage identifying it as available for charging plug-in electric vehicles. Violators could face a fine of up to $50, imprisonment for up to 15 days, or both.
The bill was later modified to remove the jail stipulation. A representative for Calabrese said the original posting that included jail time was a ‘misprint’ in the bill.
The bill’s sponsor noted that many EV drivers report challenges in finding accessible charging spots due to non-electric vehicles occupying these spaces. While some violations stem from confusion over signage, others result from intentional disregard for the rules, the sponsor said.
“Parking in an EV charging spot is equivalent to blocking gas pumps,” the bill reads, emphasizing the limited availability of charging stations compared to gas stations. The bill aims to deter misuse of EV charging spots and grant law enforcement the ability to enforce penalties.