A FINE MESS

EV driver punished for taking a 40-minute coffee break

- NORMAN SILVESTER

A FURIOUS electric car owner has hit out after he was fined £100 by a private parking firm for charging his vehicle.

Norman Hunter left his Honda at a charging point in an Aviemore hotel car park for 40 minutes while he had a coffee inside.

After he got home he received a letter from the English company fining him and demanding payment for the time he'd been parked there despite signs saying parking in the bays was free.

The letter, which offered a discount if paid early, threatened legal action if he didn't cough up. When the 76-year-old phoned the parking firm, which is based in the Midlands, they dismissed his complaint.

The hotel manager has contacted him to apologise and has quashed the fine.

Norman, from Dalry in Ayrshire, yesterday accused private parking firms of money grabbing.

The same operators were also criticised by motoring organisations.