When driving electric vehicles, it is essential to understand how the public charging infrastructure works. One of the frequently asked questions is “how long can you park at a charging station?” It seems like a simple question, but the answer is not as simple as it seems and can vary depending on several factors. It often depends on the location of the parking spot where the charging station is located, municipal regulations and whether the car is still actively charging or fully charged.
Is there a maximum loading time?
Basically, there is no maximum time your car can spend charging at a public charging station. The charging time of an electric car varies, depending on the capacity of the battery, the speed of the charging station (fast charger or regular charger) and how empty the battery was at the start of charging. However, this does not mean that electric cars can stay at a public charging station indefinitely. Rules have been put in place to prevent public charging stations (charging stations above which there are several signs reading “charging electric vehicles”) from being occupied for long periods of time by vehicles that are not actively charging, known as “charging station life. In some cases, you can even be fined for parking too long at a charging station.
What does the charging station operator do?
For charging station operators, it is important that a charging station is used effectively. This means that charging stations must be actively used or they will become vacant for other ev drivers. To prevent ev-drivers from parking unnecessarily long at a charging station, they nowadays often use a “sticky tariff” (also called an “idle fee”). This is a fee that kicks in when the car is fully charged.
Is the municipality doing anything?
In the Netherlands, the rules on how long you can park at public charging stations can vary from one municipality to another. For example, some municipalities state that as long as the car is connected by cable to the charging station, it may remain at the charging station. Other municipalities state that the charging station operator must find innovative ways to reduce charging station life. So it is important to be aware of the specific rules in your municipality or the municipality where you are located.
Can I be fined for charge post life?
If you forget to park your car somewhere else after charging and leave your electric car at a charging station for a longer period of time (also known as “charging station life”), you risk a fine of 95 euros. The Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that when an electric car is connected to a public charging station and a parking fee is paid (provided it is required) no fine can be imposed, but it is socially desirable to move your car after charging. Parking a regular car at a charging station is not allowed. If you do park your car here it falls under wrongful parking and you can receive a parking fine of 120 euros.
Municipalities where an Opcharge charging station is located in a parking lot
As a charging station operator, Opcharge realizes charging stations for several municipalities in the Netherlands. In among others Eindhoven, Leiden, Tilburg, Breda, Dordrecht, Amersfoort and Arnhem you can engage Opcharge to apply for a business or public charging station. Fill in the application form via our website and we will start discussions with the municipality about the actual placement and installation of the desired charging stations.
How do I know when my battery is full?
One of the most frequently asked questions new electric car owners have is, “how do I know when my battery is full?” Fortunately, modern electric vehicles and charging stations have a range of features built in to help you determine this.
As for charging stations, they are often equipped with light indicators that indicate the status of the charging process. The most common indicator is a green light that comes on when the car’s battery is fully charged. In some cases, there may also be an app or SMS service that sends you a notification when your car is fully charged and you can move it. Therefore, move your electric car from the parking lot immediately after charging to avoid fines.
Public charging stations from Opcharge
A public charging station is a charging station installed in public parking lots and designed to charge electric cars. These charging stations are located on the street, in parking garages, shopping centers, business parks and other public locations, where in some cases you also pay a parking fee. At public charging stations, anyone may park an electric car.
At Opcharge, you can apply for public charging stations for various municipalities. We are in close contact with these municipalities and take care of everything from the application to the installation of the charging station. Want to know more about public charge points, what the rules are and how the application process works? Then click here.
Rates for charging electric vehicles
Rates for using power from charging stations can vary depending on the location. Some municipalities have specific regulations that may lower the cost of parking at a charging station or provide certain benefits for residents. It is also important to keep in mind that some public charging stations have paid parking. For the most current prices, please refer to this page where the necessary information is described.
Requesting a charging station in your area
Do you own an electric car and would like to request a public or business charging station? Then click on the button below and fill out an application form. We will then contact you to discuss the best location for the charging station.