Motorists using electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Isle of Wight Council car parks will soon have to pay regular fees like other cars.
The change will bring EV parking arrangements into line with those applying to all other vehicles.
It comes as County Hall continues to battle unprecedented financial pressures and work towards setting a balanced budget for 2027/28.
The council introduced the free parking concession in 2023 as a temporary measure to support the uptake of EVs and encourage the use of its expanding charging infrastructure.
Since then, the number of charging sessions across council car parks has grown significantly.
The original end date for the concession was December 31, 2024.
Michelle Love, County Hall's service director for highways and community protection, said: "We recognise this change will be disappointing for some EV users, and it is not a decision we have taken lightly.
"The free parking concession was always intended as a temporary measure to support the transition to EVs.
"With EV ownership continuing to grow and charging infrastructure now well established across our car parks, we believe it is appropriate to move to a more consistent approach for all motorists.
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"Every vehicle occupies a parking space, regardless of how it is powered, and this change helps ensure parking arrangements are fair, equitable and financially sustainable.
"At a time when the council must carefully consider every area of spending and income generation, we have to balance support for motorists with our responsibility to protect essential public services."
Cllr Claire Critchison, a Green member of County Hall's transport committee, said her party welcomed the temporary removal of fees but appreciates it continued for longer than originally planned.
She added: "EV ownership has become more established; the council now needs to focus on providing better charging facilities for on street parking and those without driveways.
"This will ensure more EV owners have the choice to charge more conveniently and closer to home."
The fees come in from Monday, November 16.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) contacted councillors from all political groups on the committee.
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