Electric car owners banned from ‘cheaper’ charging tip due to little-known rule

Electric car owners could be fined by following a charging hack which could save them money amid the cost of living crisis. Motorists can save the pennies by charging their vehicles at home and running a cable to their cars instead of using public infrastructure. However, the little-known driving rule states motorists could be hit with penalties for simply running a cable across a footpath. Blocking a path with a cable could put EV owners at risk of breaching the Highways Act 1980. Rishi Sunak is expected to review the draconian electric car rule with the Government admitting using home electricity will be ‘cheaper’ than using public charging bays. Electric car owners could be caught out (Image: Getty) The issue was touched upon in the new ‘Plan for Drivers’ released at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. A report read: ‘Seek to provide guidance on the use of safe cross pavement solutions, and best practice to local authorities on relevant legislation, permissions and how to consider applications. ‘Some households without off-street parking could access cheaper and more convenient charging by running cables from their property to a vehicle. However, if done inappropriately this can negatively impact other pavement users The Plan for Drivers and in some cases can breach the Highways Act 1980. ‘This measure could help more people without off-street parking safely charge from home.’ According to PodPoint , whether owners can run an electric charging cable across a pavement is a decision down to their local council. Electric car owners pay more when using public charging bays (Image: Getty) Haringey Council in London is one area to make their position clear, warning motorists would be breaking the rules by making the mistake. They said: ‘Having the cable trail from your home, across the pavement to your car will cause a safety hazard. ‘If a passer-by injures themselves due to your cable, you can be held responsible. Furthermore, a cable across the ground can limit accessibility of the footway and can impact negatively on people with disabilities. ‘There is no instance in which you can trail your cable across the pavement, including the use of pavement drainage channels or a cable protector.’ However, electric car owners are forced to pay four times the level of tax when charging at public infrastructure. VAT is charged at 20 percent on bays located in the community compared to just five percent through at-home chargers Experts at FairCharge warn the rules mean motorists without the plugs at home are likely to pay over £200 more per year to top-up their vehicles.