Nanaimo EV Charge Station Fees: What You Need to Know

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Key Takeaways

The City of Nanaimo is proposing to charge fees for using its public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations starting from January 1, 2024.
The proposed fees are $0.30 per minute for Level 2 (240V) chargers and $0.60 per minute for Level 3 (480V) fast chargers, with a minimum charge of $1.00 per session.
The City says the fees are necessary to recover the costs of operating and maintaining the charging stations, as well as to encourage turnover and availability for other users.
The City currently owns and operates 12 public EV charging stations, with plans to add more in the future.
The City also offers rebates for installing EV chargers at homes and multi-unit residential buildings, as part of its efforts to promote zero-emission vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

EV charging station in Nanaimo with fees display and cost symbols, inviting drivers to explore charge rates. — Navigate EV Charging Fees in Nanaimo: A Visual Guide to Understanding Costs.

Why is Nanaimo charging fees for EV charging stations?

If you are an electric vehicle (EV) owner or enthusiast in Nanaimo, you may have enjoyed the convenience and affordability of using the City’s public EV charging stations for free. However, that may soon change, as the City is planning to start charging fees for using its charging stations from January 1, 2024⁶.

The City says the fees are necessary to recover the costs of operating and maintaining the charging stations, which are estimated to be around $100,000 per year. The fees are also intended to encourage turnover and availability for other users, as some EV owners may occupy the charging stations for longer than necessary or use them as parking spaces.

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The proposed fees are $0.30 per minute for Level 2 (240V) chargers and $0.60 per minute for Level 3 (480V) fast chargers, with a minimum charge of $1.00 per session⁶. The fees will be collected through the FLO network, which is a leading provider of EV charging solutions in Canada. Users will need to download the FLO app or use an RFID card to access the charging stations and pay the fees⁶.

The City currently owns and operates 12 public EV charging stations, with eight Level 2 chargers and four Level 3 fast chargers⁶. The charging stations are located at various City parks and facilities, such as the Nanaimo Museum, the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, the Beban Park Social Centre, and the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal⁶. The City plans to add more charging stations in the future, as part of its commitment to support the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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How do EV owners and drivers react to the proposed fees?

The proposed fees have sparked mixed reactions from EV owners and drivers in Nanaimo. Some support the fees, saying they are reasonable and comparable to other jurisdictions, such as Campbell River, which charges $2.00 per hour for using its public EV charging stations¹². They also say the fees will help the City cover the costs of providing the service and ensure the availability of the charging stations for other users.

Others oppose the fees, saying they are too high and will discourage people from using the charging stations or switching to EVs. They also say the fees will make EVs less competitive with gas-powered vehicles, as the cost of charging will be higher than the cost of fueling¹¹. They also argue that the City should continue to offer free charging as an incentive and a benefit for EV owners and drivers, who are helping the environment and reducing air pollution¹¹.

What are the benefits of driving an EV in Nanaimo?

Driving an EV in Nanaimo has many benefits, both for the individual and the community. Here are some of them:

EVs are energy-efficient and cost-effective. EVs use electricity instead of gasoline, which is cheaper and more stable in price. EVs also have lower maintenance costs, as they have fewer moving parts and do not require oil changes or tune-ups. According to BC Hydro, driving an EV can save up to $1,800 per year on fuel and maintenance costs compared to driving a gas-powered vehicle⁴.
EVs are environmentally friendly and climate-friendly. EVs do not emit tailpipe emissions, which improves air quality and reduces health risks. EVs also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming and climate change. According to BC Hydro, driving an EV can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to driving a gas-powered vehicle⁴.
EVs are convenient and comfortable. EVs have smooth and quiet performance, which enhances the driving experience. EVs also have advanced features, such as regenerative braking, which recovers energy from braking and extends the driving range. EVs can also be charged at home or at work, which saves time and hassle. According to BC Hydro, there are over 2,000 public EV charging stations in B.C., including 81 in Nanaimo⁷, making it easy to find a place to charge on the go.

How can I get an EV charger at home or at my building?

If you are interested in getting an EV charger at home or at your building, you may be eligible for some rebates from the City of Nanaimo and other sources. Here are some of them:

The City of Nanaimo offers top-up rebates of $150 for single-family homes, duplexes, row houses, and townhouses that install an EV charger¹³. The City also offers rebates of up to $1,000 for an EV-ready plan and $100 per parking space with access to an EV charger for apartments and condo buildings¹³. These rebates are in addition to the provincial CleanBC rebates of up to $350 for single-family homes and up to $2,000 for multi-unit residential buildings¹³.
The federal government offers a tax credit of up to $5,000 for purchasing or leasing a new EV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)⁴. The federal government also offers a tax write-off of up to 100% of the cost of an EV or PHEV for businesses⁴.
The BC Scrap-It Program offers incentives of up to $6,000 for trading in an old gas-powered vehicle for a new or used EV or PHEV⁴. The program also offers incentives of up to $3,000 for trading in an old gas-powered vehicle for a car share or transit pass⁴.

Conclusion

The City of Nanaimo is planning to start charging fees for using its public EV charging stations from January 1, 2024. The fees are intended to recover the costs of operating and maintaining the charging stations, as well as to encourage turnover and availability for other users. The fees are $0.30 per minute for Level 2 chargers and $0.60 per minute for Level 3 fast chargers, with a minimum charge of $1.00 per session. The fees have sparked mixed reactions from EV owners and drivers, some supporting them and some opposing them. Driving an EV in Nanaimo has many benefits, such as saving money, reducing emissions, and improving convenience. There are also various rebates and incentives available for getting an EV charger at home or at a building, or for purchasing or leasing an EV or PHEV.

I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. And if you are looking for more articles like this, make sure to check out our website, HustleHub, where we provide the latest news and tips for hustlers like you. Thanks for reading and happy charging! 🚗