Charging an electric car from home could lead to fines and imprisonment

Charging an electric car for residents of apartment buildings can be a real challenge. This is related not only to comfort, but also to safety issues, since homemade cables laid under windows often become causes of conflicts between neighbors and can be dangerous.

Legal expert Yevgeny Bulimenko told more about the illegality of this charging method, options for legal arrangement of charging stations, and liability for violation of the law.

Why can’t you charge an electric car “from the apartment”?

The expert noted that the use of extension cords for charging electric cars in apartment buildings is not only dangerous, but also prohibited by law. According to fire safety rules approved by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the use of homemade extension cords that do not meet the required standards is unacceptable. Yevgeny Bulimenko emphasized that such a practice can lead to a fire.

How to charge an electric car correctly?

Legal charging of an electric vehicle near an apartment building is possible only if there are specially equipped charging stations. The association of co-owners of an apartment building or the management company is responsible for their creation. If there is a need to install such stations, apartment owners should contact their condominium association or management company.

What is the penalty for illegal charging of an electric vehicle?

The lawyer warned that violation of fire and technogenic safety requirements can lead to administrative liability in the form of fines: for individuals, the amount of the fine ranges from 1,700 to 3,400 hryvnias, and for officials or entrepreneurs – from 3,400 to 5,100 hryvnias. This is provided for in Article 175 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.

In more serious cases, criminal liability may arise. According to Article 270 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, violation of fire or technogenic safety rules that led to a fire or accident that injured people or caused significant material damage may be punishable by a fine of 17,000 to 68,340 hryvnias, correctional labor for up to two years, restriction of liberty for up to three years, or imprisonment for the same term.