Can I charge electric vehicle when parked outside my home?

Reader Question: We don’t have a garage and park our car on the street outside. We want to buy a new car and were thinking about an electric option, however we are unsure on the rules of charging it when parked outside. We would be using our own electricity and plugging it in via our home mains supply.

The first thing to note is that you need to be careful about parking on the street regardless of if you are charging your vehicle if this could include partially parking on the pavement for ease.

If your vehicle is blocking a pedestrian path you could be liable for a fine of €135 unless there are ground markings that specifically indicate part-pavement parking is possible.

Also the road outside your street is public property so anyone can park there, meaning you cannot rely on the space being available when you need it. 

There is a ban on parking directly in front of driveways, which applies also to the owner of the home.

More information on the above rules can be seen in our article here.

Contact your mairie to see if a special ‘eco’ parking spot can be placed outside or near your home.

Article L 2213-2 of France’s Code général des collectivités territoriales gives mairies the right to designate parking spaces in public for low-emission vehicles (such as electric cars). 

However, this is dependent on a number of factors such as local traffic and you must request this. There is no guarantee you will receive a positive response. 

Even if the mayor does agree, this spot is not ‘yours’ but will be available for any electric or low-emissions vehicle.

Beware of ‘yolocharging’

Even with the implementation of a specific parking spot however, charging your electric vehicle in a public place – if using your own electricity – can be penalised. 

Article L.2121-1 of the Code général de la propriété des personnes publiques states that any vehicle occupying public space cannot ”without holding a permit authorising them to do so, use a part of the public domain… or use it beyond the limits of the right of use that belongs to everyone.” 

This technically extends to charging a vehicle as no one else is allowed to use your electricity so you are going beyond these ‘public’ limits. Some authorities have issued reminders expressly stating homeowners charging their vehicles this way may be liable to a €1,500 fine.

This is known as ‘yolocharging’.

In addition, any obstruction of the road or pavement (for example if you need to park closer to your home as the cable is short) opens you up to the penalties detailed.

If anyone is injured due to your cable, for example a pedestrian tripping over the cable on the pavement or, if you are seen to be obstructing the public path and causing issues for people with reduced mobility, you will be liable for damages or further penalties.

What are the solutions? 

Unfortunately, electric vehicle drivers are therefore limited in charging options unless they have their own space under their property’s jurisdiction. Those who do can install a charging point.

If you live in a shared complex and have a private parking space, the ‘droit à la prise’ (right to charge) allows you to request from the condominium that an electric charging port is installed in your space.

Send the request by registered letter – it can only be refused for a serious reason.

You are required to pay for installation but in return only you have the right to use it. 

In a shared complex with public spaces, you can ask for public charging ports to be installed. This needs to pass via a vote at the condominium’s general meeting.

The installation cost will not fall solely upon you and subsidies may be available. Usually, electric vehicle owners are tracked as to how much electricity they use and each person is charged for their individual consumption. 

Failing this, you will have to charge your vehicle in public places. 

This can include public parking spaces in the commune with an electric charging port, Parking is usually free in these spots if you are charging your car. There are often charging ports in private (paid-for) car parks. 

Charging ports are now also often found in shopping centres, outside restaurants, hotels, train stations, and several other services across towns. 

Finally, if working you can ask your employer to install a charging port however they are under no obligation to do so.