In Lisbon, it is still possible to spot a cable dangling from an apartment window, crossing the pavement and reaching a parked electric car. It is a workaround for drivers who do not have a garage. But it is illegal, Alfredo Lavrador, automotive editor at Observador, reminded listeners on Rádio Observador.
Portugal’s electric mobility law does not explicitly address this particular scenario. However, occupying a pavement or any other public space without a permit is prohibited, including with cables. And if the cable is also draped across the building’s facade in front of neighbours’ windows and balconies, permission from the condominium owners’ association is required.
According to Lavrador, the fine depends on the municipality and how strict the police officer is. In Lisbon, he quoted a range of €900 to €4,200, although he did not specify which legal provision this was based on. Portugal’s National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) gives a much lower estimate. It considers this an offence involving the unauthorised occupation of a road or the placement of a dangerous object, punishable by a fine of €60 to €300. Municipalities can, however, introduce stricter local rules.
The fine is not the only concern. Pedestrians can trip over the cable, and if someone catches it, the car’s charging port could be damaged, potentially leaving the vehicle unusable. Using an extension cord also increases the risk of fire. Standard EV charging plugs have built-in temperature sensors that cut off charging if the socket overheats. But when an extension cord is used, these sensors cannot detect overheating at the wall socket, potentially allowing the wiring to catch fire.
Lavrador sees a potential solution in streetlights, which could be converted into charging points, as has already been done in several European cities. Streetlights are connected to a three-phase power supply, he explains, which is sufficient for charging at 11 or 22 kW. That is about as much as AC charging can deliver, but it is still considerably faster than charging from a standard household socket.
