In a strong effort to protect its electric vehicle (EV) system, the Cypriot Parliament has passed a new law. This law introduces an €85 fine for any vehicle that is parked incorrectly in a public EV charging bay. The new rule applies to both petrol or diesel cars and electric vehicles that are not actually charging. Its goal is to solve a problem that has been causing increasing annoyance for EV owners. Furthermore, it supports the country's plans to promote clean transport.
The legal change was led by Green Party MP Stavros Papadouris and was approved by all political parties. Before the vote, it was improved by the Parliamentary Transport Committee. The law sets a very clear, physical rule for using a charging bay legally. An electric car is only considered to be using the station if its charging cable is plugged into the charger. Simply parking an EV in the spot is no longer enough. Doing so will now result in a fixed fine, which is the same amount as the penalty for driving in a bus lane.
Stavros Papadouris stated, "This is a simple but necessary step to make sure these facilities are used correctly." He explained that the law is a direct answer to many complaints from the public. The misuse of charging points has become a major obstacle for people who want to switch to an electric car. It is common for the bays to be blocked by traditional cars or occupied by electric cars that have already finished charging. This makes the infrastructure unavailable for other drivers who need to power their vehicles.
The law is comprehensive and applies to all public charging areas across Cyprus, including those owned by local councils. An important improvement was made while the law was being developed. The first proposal only suggested fining non-electric vehicles. However, the Transport Committee expanded it to also include electric vehicles that are sitting idle after charging. This created a stronger and fairer solution for everyone.
The legislation is based on European rules for alternative fuels, which state that these charging points are public. By introducing this financial penalty, the authorities hope to create a more dependable charging network. This, in turn, supports the larger shift towards sustainable transport. The next step is to put the fine into practice, though the exact methods for enforcement and the official start date have not yet been announced.