Tecumseh Introduces EV Charging Fees on January 15

Starting January 15, 2024, residents of Tecumseh will incur fees for charging their electric vehicles at municipally owned charging stations. The town council approved a new policy that mandates a charge of $2 per hour for charging services, with an additional fee of $5 for each hour vehicles remain plugged in after charging is complete. A 30-minute grace period will be provided before the overstay charges begin.

Mayor Gary McNamara highlighted the need for the fees, stating, “Folks will connect, and they will stay connected for hours and hours. Some of the folks that wanted to… have a charging session were not able to do so.” The primary objective of these charges is to recover costs associated with electricity usage and the installation of the charging stations, which can amount to approximately $100,000 each.

Charging Stations and Usage Statistics

The council’s decision, made on December 9, comes after the town has seen nearly 8,800 charging sessions since the installation of 14 charging stations at eight locations, including Town Hall, St. Mary’s Park, and the Tecumseh Arena. The installation process began in December 2022 and concluded in December 2023. As noted by Beth Gignac, the director of community and recreation services, these sessions have utilized around 16,000 kilowatts of power.

Until now, Tecumseh had provided charging services free of charge. An analysis conducted by staff revealed that some users frequently overstayed their charging times, leading to complaints from other residents. Gignac remarked, “We have provided notices on the windshields of cars that we’ve noticed, where there [is] frequent overstay,” citing chronic issues particularly at the Tecumseh Arena and Town Hall.

Comparative Analysis and Future Implications

In reviewing the charging policies of nearby municipalities, Tecumseh found that Lakeshore, Amherstburg, and Chatham-Kent all charge $2.00 per hour for EV charging. In contrast, the City of Windsor does not impose fees for charging, although regular parking rates apply to spaces equipped with chargers.

Users of Tecumseh’s charging stations will need to download the Flo app, which will be updated to facilitate the payment of fees. While some residents may voice concerns over the new costs, McNamara emphasized that not all residents own electric vehicles. “You would be paying for it if you were plugged in at home,” he explained. He also pointed out that every taxpayer in the community has contributed to the establishment of these charging units, yet not all benefit from their use.

As Tecumseh moves forward with these charges, the town aims to balance the needs of electric vehicle users while ensuring that the services remain sustainable and accessible for all residents.