EV driver's bold act sparks outrage in Australia

Keith Bensley was out on his morning walk in Sawtell in NSW when he came across an extension cable running across a footpath. Picture: Facebook

• Owner of EV slammed by locals for bold act
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A driver has sparked outrage from neighbours for running an extension cable across a suburban footpath to charge an electric vehicle.

Keith Bensley was out on his morning walk in Sawtell on NSW's Mid North Coast, when he came across the cord leading to a parked car on the roadside.

'It surprised me, it was a real trip hazard,' he told the ABC.

Mr Bensley said the extentcord snaked all the way from the gutter to the top story of a nearby block of flats.

The electrical engineer noted the unorthodox charging method wasn't just a tripping hazard but a serious fire hazard too.

'There was no attempt to put anything over the cable, and it had rained the night before, so it was nice and wet,' he said.

'If (water) had got in between the plug and the socket. It can actually burn and could start a fire if it was on dry grass,' he said.

Mr Bensley supposed the car owners must have been 'desperate'.

Keith Bensley was out on his morning walk in Sawtell, on NSW's Mid North Coast, when he came across this extension cable running across a footpath.

Mr Bensley sparked a fiery community debate after he posted the photo to a community Facebook page, with many locals quick to share their dismay.

'Gosh! That is dangerous though, from an electrical hazard and a trip hazard. Where is people's common sense and consideration for other people?' one lady questioned.

'What about users of wheelchairs and walkers? Call the council. That is ridiculous,' another commented.

Others said Mr Bensley should have simply unplugged the cord.

But some commenters couldn't see the issue, suggesting the matter was just 'one more thing to whinge about'.

The debate comes as electric vehicle sales doubled in 2023, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.

A report conducted by the council found there are now more than 180,000 electric cars on Australia's roads, with the majority of EVs being sold in outer metro and regional areas.