Tesla owners could be fined $330 for laying their electric vehicle charging cable on a sidewalk because they don’t have a driveway.
John Slaytor and Chantal Decaluwe, who live in the leafy suburb of Waverton on Sydney’s north shore, face limited off-street parking options.
The couple decided to run the charging cable from their house to the other side of the sidewalk so they could charge their car outside.
“This is a dead-end street, there’s nobody here late at night,” Slaytor said. A current issue.
He said it was also cost-effective, as he would otherwise have to pay up to $60 to recharge the eco-friendly vehicle at a commercial charging station.
The couple also placed cable guards on top of the cable to protect pedestrian safety and limit damage to the cable.
But the quick fix has not gone down well with North Sydney City Council, which has threatened the pair with a huge fine if they do the act again.
The city council considers that the cables of electric vehicles running along the sidewalks are “a risk to public safety.”
John Slaytor (pictured right) and Chantal Decaluwe (pictured left) decided to run the charging cable along the trail, as they do not have a driveway.
Mr. Slaytor said the rule could prevent motorists from buying electric vehicles because there are not enough publicly available electric vehicle charging stations.
“I think it’s an impediment to the adoption of electric vehicles and we’re in a climate emergency,” he said.
“We should consider everything we can do to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles.”
Mr Slaytor wants the council to issue an electric vehicle charging licence to residents who can prove their charging systems are safe.
A North Sydney Council spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the council is actively taking steps to assist residents using electric vehicles.
“The Council is working to develop an evidence-based approach to electric vehicle policy,” the spokeswoman said.
“The EV space is constantly evolving and we need a coordinated and informed approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for the community.”
The city council has encouraged motorists to use charging stations available in public car parks if they are unable to charge their vehicles at home.
The couple also placed cable guards on top of the cable to protect pedestrian safety and limit damage to the cable.
Any activity associated with electric vehicle charging must require council approval in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993.
Municipalities are the owners and responsible for managing public electric vehicle charging units.
The New South Wales government has committed to investing $260 million in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Sales of electric vehicles are holding steady across Australia, with 10,464 fully battery electric vehicles sold in March, according to figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
