PETOSKEY — A little over a year after the Petoskey City Council first approved the installation of four electric vehicle charging stations in the city, rates and fees for using those stations have been set.
“In April of 2022, council approved a state grant for four charging stations at three locations,” said Mike Robbins, director of the Public Works Department, at the council’s June 5 meeting. “Two of the locations are in the central business district. The other one’s at the Depot lot. But the state is funding two-thirds of this project.”
Two chargers are located in the Depot Parking Lot, one in the Darling Parking Lot and one in the Elks Parking Lot. The project was partially funded through the state’s Charge Up Michigan program. The total estimated cost was $178,466, with the state contributing approximately $120,000.
More: Electric vehicle chargers coming to state parks this summer in first phase of rollout
Robbins noted that they still have a few things to work on to complete the installation project, “but we’re very close.”
Chris Lund, of Utility Financial Solutions LLC, Holland, was on hand at the June 5 meeting to present the recommended rate and fee structure to the city council.
There are two types of chargers available in the city — a Level II and a DC Fast Charge.
“The main difference between the two chargers is that you can achieve up to about a six times quicker charge on the DC Fast Charger than you can on the level two,” Lund said. “The main advantage to the end user on that DC Fast Charger would be a quicker getting in and out and getting your vehicle charged and getting back on the road.”
For Level II chargers:
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Base Charging Fee: $0.37 per kWh
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Administration Fee: $1 per each charging session
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Grace Period: 15 minutes, no occupancy fee/idle time fees assessed
For DC Fast Chargers:
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Base Charging Fee: $0.55 per kWh
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Administration Fee: $1 per each charging session
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Grace Period: 15 minutes, no occupancy fee/idle time fees assessed
Other fees (if applicable):
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Occupancy Fee/Idle Time: $1.50 at 15-minute increments after grace period is exhausted
The grace period allows people to keep their car in the charging station space for 15 minutes after their charging session is over. If they stay in the spot beyond that time, the occupancy fee/idle time charge would kick in.
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The fees will be included in the city’s schedule of fees and charges that is approved annually.
“I’m very supportive of this. I think it’s a great opportunity moving forward,” said Mayor John Murphy.
Council unanimously approved the proposed rates and fees.