Brussels to Fine EV Drivers Who Hog Charging Spots

The Brussels regional government has approved a “rotation tariff” that will fine drivers who occupy public electric vehicle charging points for more than six hours after charging is complete, in a move designed to tackle the growing problem of charging point availability in the Belgian capital. Starting 1 October 2026, vehicles connected to a public charging point between 9:00 and 22:00 for longer than six hours will be charged €0.06 per minute (€3.60 per hour).

The Problem: ‘Charging Point Hogs’

The measure, proposed by Brussels State Secretary for Energy Audrey Henry (MR) and State Secretary for Environment and Climate Ans Persoons (Vooruit.brussels), addresses a well-documented issue. Data from grid operator Sibelga shows that while an 18 kWh charging session takes only about 2 hours and 20 minutes, drivers remain connected for an average of 6 hours and 30 minutes — nearly three times longer than necessary.

“Charging points are not parking spaces,” Henry said in a statement reported by VRT NWS. “Anyone who hasn’t understood that yet will have to pay when they stay there. Improving air quality also means ensuring charging points remain available and that the vehicle fleet can continue to become greener.”

Persoons echoed the sentiment, calling the measure a concrete step that “accelerates the climate transition, improves air quality and the health of Brussels residents, and makes Brussels a more pleasant city to live in.”

How the Rotation Tariff Works

The rotation tariff applies only during daytime hours — between 9:00 and 22:00 — meaning overnight chargers are exempt. Outside this window, drivers can leave their vehicles connected without incurring additional charges. The €0.06 per minute rate is identical to the tariff introduced by the city of Antwerp in October 2025.

Brussels’ approach is more lenient than that of Ghent, which applies its €3.60 per hour rotation tariff after just four hours at a charging point between 8:00 and 22:00. Brussels’ six-hour threshold gives drivers a longer grace period, though the daytime window extends until 22:00 rather than 20:00 as in Antwerp.

A Growing Urban Challenge

Brussels faces a unique challenge compared to rural areas when it comes to EV infrastructure. According to Joeri Van Mierlo, Professor of Electromobility at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), only 10 percent of Brussels households have a private garage. “In the countryside, you can easily charge your car on your driveway,” Van Mierlo told BRUZZ. “But if you live in an apartment building in the city, you are often dependent on public charging infrastructure.”

The Brussels-Capital Region currently has 9,779 public charging points, with a target of approximately 22,000 by 2035 (11,000 roadside points installed by Sibelga and 11,000 semi-public points by other parties).

EV Adoption Accelerates

The rotation tariff arrives as electric vehicle adoption accelerates across Belgium. The number of fully electric vehicles grew by 55 percent in one year, reaching 395,188 vehicles in 2025, though EVs still represent only 6.4 percent of the total Belgian vehicle fleet. In Brussels, approximately one in four new cars sold is electric, and among Brussels companies, 61 percent of new cars are electric.

Sibelga spokesperson Serena Galeone previously highlighted the paradox: despite increasing numbers of charging installations, accessibility was declining because users remained connected for far longer than needed. The rotation tariff is designed as a behavioral deterrent to address this.

Background and Timeline

The concept of a rotation tariff for Brussels is not new. The Conference of Mayors — the informal consultation platform of the 19 Brussels mayors — gave an initial green light to the idea as early as June 2023. Sibelga announced in January 2026 that it was preparing the mechanism, and the regional government formally approved it on 2 July 2026 on the proposal of State Secretaries Henry and Persoons.

Looking Ahead

The rotation tariff is set to take effect on 1 October 2026. While the measure is expected to improve charging point turnover and support further EV adoption, questions remain about enforcement mechanisms, the potential impact on lower-income EV drivers who rely on street parking, and whether exemptions will be made for specific vehicle types such as car-sharing services or delivery vehicles.

Brussels joins a growing list of Belgian cities — including Antwerp and Ghent — using financial disincentives to change driver behavior, signaling that as EV adoption accelerates, urban policymakers are increasingly focused on ensuring that charging infrastructure is used efficiently rather than simply expanded.