The days of charging your electric vehicle for free may be coming to an end.
In a management report, Deputy Clerk Audrey Pascual is recommending Stratford City Council approve fees for using the 14 city-owned electric vehicle charging stations.
Pascual proposes residents pay a $2.50 hourly rate for level 2 charging stations and an hourly rate of $16.50 for the level 3 fast charging stations in Erie Street Parking lot with no extra parking fees.
Pascual said the city currently does not charge any fees.
“The initial reason for the free use of the charging stations was intentional
and to encourage the adoption and uptake of EVs in the city,” the report stated.
“In addition, the City of Stratford is part of the Perth County Regional EV Charging Network which seeks to bridge the gap of charging infrastructure between Highway 401 and Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to the Bruce Peninsula. The availability of free charging can help
encourage EV users to visit Stratford for a top-up on their way to their final stop or
destination.”
The report said operating costs for these stations are high.
Utility costs for seven stations that were operational last year is estimated to be $6,640. Annual costs for the Cloud and Assure Plans, plans that manage the stations and covers all maintenance and parts replacement for the chargers, are $15,610 for the same stations.
Currently, residents can’t park their EVs overnight from 2-6 a.m. Pascual said staff are recommending that the EV charging spaces in the municipal lots be exempted from the overnight parking restriction.
“The exemption would put the city in compliance with conditions of funding which requires that EV charging spaces be available 24/7.
If approved, staff aim to have the fees in effect starting in September.
The report will be presented at tonight’s council meeting starting at 7 p.m.
