Driver gets £90 ticket after using Lidl EV charger out of hours

A driver received a £90 parking ticket after charging his electric car at a Lidl store outside opening hours.

Trevor Taylor said he spent about 16 minutes charging his vehicle in the car park of the store in Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire.

The retailer introduced restrictions on out-of-hours parking due to concerns about anti-social behaviour, but Taylor said people expected EV charging to be available around the clock.

Lidl said signs advertised the rules, but it had now cancelled Taylor’s ticket. The BBC understands the company is reviewing its EV charging policy at sites where car parks have restrictions.

Taylor, from nearby South Ferriby, said he visited on Sunday 12 July at about 6pm.

His 16-minute stay meant he exceeded the car park’s consideration and grace periods, which are designed to allow drivers time to read signs, decide whether to stay and leave.

He later received a parking charge notice (PCN) for £90, reduced to £45 if paid within 14 days.

He said the electricity itself cost about 53p and described the PCN as “excessive”.

“I don’t think people realise that you’re not allowed to do this outside of store hours,” he said.

“People believe that chargers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”