Tesla owners are threatened with a $330 fine for the 'illegal' way they've been charging their car

The owners of a Tesla could be hit with a $330 fine for laying their EV charging cable across a footpath because they don't have a driveway. 

John Slaytor and Chantal Decaluwe, who live in the leafy suburb of Waverton, on Sydney's lower north shore, face limited options for off-street parking. 

The couple decided to run the charging cable from their home and across the footpath to allow them to charge the car outside. 

'This is a dead end street, no one is here late at night,' Mr Slaytor told A Current Affair. 

He said it was also cost effective as he would otherwise have to pay up to $60 to recharge the environmentally friendly vehicle at a commercial charging station. 

The couple also placed cable guards on top of the cord to protect the safety of pedestrians and to limit damage to the wire. 

But the quick fix has not gone down well with North Sydney Council, who have threatened the pair with the massive fine if they commit the act again. 

The council deems electric vehicle cables that run along footpaths 'a risk to public safety'.

Mr Slaytor said the rule could stop motorists from buying EVs as there are not enough publicly available EV charging stations. 

'I think it's an impediment to the take up of electric vehicles and we're in a climate emergency,' he said. 

'Everything we can do to make it easier to take up electric vehicles should be considered'. 

Mr Slaytor wants the council to issue an EV charging licence to residents, who can prove their charging systems are safe. 

A North Sydney Council spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia council is actively taking steps to assist residents who use EVs.

'Council is working to develop an evidence-based approach to electric vehicle policy,' the spokeswoman said.   

'The electric vehicle space is constantly evolving, and we need a coordinated and informed approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for the community'. 

The council has encouraged motorists to use the charging stations that are available at public car parks if they can't charge their vehicles at home. 

Any activity associated with the charging of electric vehicles must require council approval according to the Local Government Act 1993. 

Councils own and are responsible for the management of public electric vehicle charging units. 

The NSW government has committed to investing $260million into EV charging infrastructure.  

Sales of electric vehicles remain steady across Australia with 10,464 full battery EVs sold in March according to figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.