It’s not easy being green, especially when you’re slapped with a fine for parking your electric van – in an electric charging point.
Mat Walker snapped this picture of an electric Mega Van parked outside the Caroline of Brunswick in Ditchling Road, in one of Brighton and Hove City Council’s new charging docks just before 9am yesterday.
But even though there’s a big sticker in the window saying “Pure Electric”, this didn’t stop one warden giving it a parking ticket.
Councillor Ian Davey said: “Clearly not the type of charge the driver was expecting.
“Hopefully assuming the car was actually being charged at the time the council will cancel this parking fine immediately and make sure that the parking enforcement officers are told what these bays are for.”
A spokesman for the council said: “Our parking team enabled the owner to stay in the parking bay for a few days this month as they were not able to charge the car.
“The ticket was issued after the period expired.
“However, we would have been happy to extend the time, so if the owner appeals the ticket there is a good chance it will be quashed.
“We understand the owner has now successfully registered the vehicle for charging.”
The scheme was launched last November, making Brighton and Hove the first city in the UK outside London to trial them on this scale.
The points are top-up charge only, and cars can only stay there for three-hours.
The first was installed in Bartholemews, near Brighton town hall.
At the time, council leader Mary Mears said: “”These new charging points will benefit residents, visitors and local businesses.
“Electric vehicles produce zero emissions and so are much better for air quality in town and city centres than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. As well as the environmental benefits, fluctuations in oil prices have also increased interest in electric cars.”
The council uses two electric-powered vehicles to collect recycling and the mayor’s official car is a hybrid.
