In a decisive move to safeguard its electric vehicle infrastructure, the Cypriot Parliament has enacted legislation introducing an €85 penalty for vehicles improperly occupying public EV charging bays. The new regulation, which targets both combustion-engine cars and electric vehicles that are not actively charging, aims to resolve a growing source of frustration for EV owners and bolster the nation's clean transport ambitions. The legislative amendment, spearheaded by Green Party MP Stavros Papadouris, received cross-party approval after being refined by the Parliamentary Transport Committee. It establishes a clear, physical criterion for legal occupancy: an electric vehicle is only considered to be using the facility if its charging cable is physically connected to the station. Merely parking an EV in the designated spot is now insufficient and will incur the fixed fine, mirroring the existing penalty for bus lane violations. "This is a simple but necessary step to ensure the proper use of facilities," stated Papadouris, framing the law as a direct response to numerous citizen complaints. The misuse of charging points has emerged as a significant impediment to EV adoption, with bays frequently blocked by conventional vehicles or occupied by electric cars that have finished charging, thus rendering the infrastructure inaccessible to others in need. The law's scope is comprehensive, applying to all publicly accessible charging areas across Cyprus, including those on municipal property. Its development saw a critical enhancement during the legislative process; while the initial proposal focused solely on penalising non-electric vehicles, the Transport Committee broadened it to include idle EVs, creating a more robust and equitable solution. The legislation draws its authority from European rules on alternative fuels, which classify such charging points as publicly accessible regardless of their location. By implementing this financial deterrent, authorities aim to cultivate a more reliable charging network, thereby supporting the broader transition to sustainable mobility. The next phase involves operationalising the fine, though the specific enforcement mechanisms and official enactment date are yet to be detailed by the relevant authorities.