Can you just lay the charging cable of your electric car over the sidewalk?

Radjesh Karia from Almere has had an electric car since 2017, he told Omroep Flevoland. When he bought it, there was no official charging station in the street where he lives. Karia specially purchased solar panels, with which he generates the power for his electric car. He lays the charging cable from his house to his car on the sidewalk between special rubber blocks. This is to prevent people from tripping over it.

Fine of 259 euros for charging cable over the sidewalk

In May Karia received a letter from the municipality of Almere. He is no longer allowed to lay the cord on the pavement and must install a cable duct. Karia does not think that is a problem and pays 181 euros to the municipality for its construction. Weeks later, however, the gutter has still not been constructed, but Karia will be fined 259 euros. After an objection, the municipality has put the fine 'on hold'.

Charging an electric car from home? ask

Whether or not you are allowed to lay a charging cable over the sidewalk currently differs per municipality. Some municipalities forbid it, others just allow it. So the advice is: first ask whether you can lay the charging cable over the sidewalk if you want to charge your electric car from your front yard or your house. There are municipalities that place restrictions on charging from home. Then, for example, it is only allowed if there is no public charging station within 300 meters.

Municipality not liable if someone stumbles

The municipality is not legally liable for the damage that someone suffers if he or she trips over a charging cord and is injured. The person who placed the charging cord there (the owner of the electric car) is liable. However, the municipality is responsible for installing sufficient public charging stations. And in this area, some municipalities still have a way to go.