Council officials have been left red-faced after an electric car driver noticed a blunder on one of the authority's parking signs. 

While on a walk through Eaton Park earlier this week, John Fielding was confused to find a weight restriction had been placed on one of the car parks by the city council. 

A sign put up at the site closest to Colman Road prohibited any vehicles over 1,524kg (1.5 tonnes) - essentially banning the majority of electric cars.

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The heavy battery systems of electric vehicles tend to make them heavier than their petrol or diesel equivalents, with most ranging between 1,500 and 2000kg (two tonnes). Insurance firm Admiral reports that EVs weigh an average of 200-300kg more.

Norwich Evening News: John Fielding noticed a problem with the car park restrictions at Eaton Park, which affects the drivers of electric vehicles in particular John Fielding noticed a problem with the car park restrictions at Eaton Park, which affects the drivers of electric vehicles in particular (Image: Denise Bradley / Newsquest)

John, who himself owns a 2.2-tonne Tesla Model 3, raised concerns about the restrictions and asked: "What have the council got against electric cars?"

But when asked by this newspaper, a spokesman for Norwich City Council admitted the signs were a mistake.

“Following our relatively recent decision to introduce charges at Eaton Park to bring in money to help pay for essential council services, it was always our plan to review its progress," they said.

Norwich Evening News: John Fielding noticed a problem at Eaton Park, which affects the drivers of electric vehicles in particular John Fielding noticed a problem at Eaton Park, which affects the drivers of electric vehicles in particular (Image: Denise Bradley / Newsquest)

“Part of this will include reviewing any weight restrictions for cars on our signage as we fully acknowledge the issues this presents with electric vehicles.

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“In the meantime, we want to reassure any park users who plan to park at Eaton that we will not be taking enforcement action on cars that exceed the weight limit.”

Parking fees were controversially introduced at Eaton Park in March 2023. 

Charges start at £2 for up to four hours and apply from 9am to 9pm Monday to Sunday.

Norwich Evening News: John Fielding, who has a 2.5-tonne Tesla, noticed vehicles over 1.5 tonnes cannot park at Eaton Park John Fielding, who has a 2.5-tonne Tesla, noticed vehicles over 1.5 tonnes cannot park at Eaton Park (Image: Denise Bradley / Newsquest)

There is an option for regular users to purchase a season ticket, which is £40 for six months or £70 for a year.

It became the first city park to charge for parking, with the council using it as a way to raise £50,000 and help plug its £6.2m budget gap.