New EV Charging Fees Designed to Improve Access Opportunities

The City of Santa Rosa currently owns and operates ten Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations (18 charging ports) at various locations, including those recently installed at Courthouse Square. All are available for public use. The initial EV charge stations were installed through a 2010 county-wide cooperative and rates for City operated EV charge station use has not increased since the original installation in 2010. On June 4, City Council adopted the new EV charging station fee schedule which is effective July 1, 2019.

The implementation of the City EV charging station fee changes will re-align the City to a consistent fee structure with other publicly owned station pricing and time limitations countywide. The fee structure adds a cost to drivers who leave their vehicle parked at a station longer than necessary (4 hours). The time allotment cost is designed to deter drivers from leaving their vehicle in the charging station for extended periods and to create more equitable access for EV drivers by increasing utilization and opportunity for access.  

Effective July 1, 2019, City operated EV charging station rates will be:

• $2 connection fee
• $1 per hour usage charge for the first 4 hours
• $10 per hour usage charge after 4 hours

Vehicles remaining in the EV charging station space beyond four hours will be charged a $10 per hour fee and possible citation. Stations will include signage limiting the use of a charging space to four hours. Limiting the user to a maximum of four hours in the EV charging station space creates access for longer-distance EV drivers who rely on public charging opportunities.

Note: The parking fee is not included in the EV charging station rate.