320 NIS Fine: Tiberias Municipality Cracks Down on Illegal Charging Stations
Charging stations mounted on trees and cables stretched across sidewalks have prompted a stern warning from the Tiberias Municipality. Officials state that these illegal setups endanger pedestrians and will be subject to daily fines.
The Tiberias Municipality issued a stern notice on Tuesday regarding the proliferation of "pirate" electric vehicle charging stations on city streets. The warning follows incidents such as the installation of an improvised charging station on a Robinia pseudoacacia tree, complete with a sign declaring it a private station, as well as electrical cables stretched from private homes across public sidewalks.
In its statement, the municipality clarified that placing charging stations in public spaces for private use or running cables from homes is a violation of the law. Such actions not only obstruct pedestrian pathways but also pose significant safety hazards to the public.
The municipality has demanded the immediate removal of these hazards and announced that the inspection department will begin continuous enforcement operations. The fine for such violations is set at 320 NIS, and it may be issued daily for as long as the violation persists.
Tiberias is not alone in this struggle. The phenomenon is occurring in many cities across the country, where cables can be seen running from windows through improvised plastic conduits or attached to illegally installed poles.
The Gap Between EV Growth and Charging Infrastructure
One of the primary drivers behind these pirate charging stations is the widening gap between the surge in electric vehicle sales in Israel—fueled by rising gasoline prices—and the slow deployment of adequate public charging infrastructure on residential streets.
Many residents live in older buildings without private parking registered in the land registry (Tabu), leaving them without a legal and accessible solution for installing home charging units.
Furthermore, there is a strong economic incentive, as charging directly from a home outlet can be two to three times cheaper than using public fast-charging stations. Additionally, many drivers believe home charging is "healthier" for their vehicle's battery.
