Australian councils and charging networks are introducing idle fees to stop electric-vehicle drivers occupying charging bays after their cars have finished charging. Glen Eira Council in Melbourne will charge $1 per minute from 1 October, while Canterbury-Bankstown in Sydney already applies the same fee after a two-hour limit, aiming to improve access as EV use grows.

Rules vary between providers, with Chargefox and Jolt charging up to $1 per minute, some companies capping fees at $100 and others charging indefinitely. Tesla can charge 50 cents per minute, rising to $1 during busy periods, and may impose fees before a vehicle reaches full charge; drivers may also receive parking fines for overstaying.