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Vermillion council approves tiered rate increases for level‑3 EV charger on Princeton Street
Summary
The council approved staged rate increases for the city’s level‑3 electric vehicle charger on Princeton Street, moving to $13 per hour immediately and increasing to $16 on May 1 and $19 on July 1, citing higher utility costs for surge charging and a desire to keep the service available.
The Vermillion City Council voted Feb. 3 to amend rates for the city’s level‑3 electric vehicle (EV) charging station on Princeton Street, approving a three‑step increase intended to reflect the charger’s higher instantaneous power draw.
City staff said Vermillion operates two chargers: a level‑2 unit outside City Hall that delivers slower “trickle” charges and a level‑3 fast charger by Casey’s/Princeton Street that provides rapid charging in roughly 30–40 minutes. Jack, a city staff member, told the council the new schedule sets the Princeton Street station at $13 per hour (or $3.25 per quarter hour) immediately, rising to $16 per hour ($4.00 per quarter hour) effective May 1 and $19 per hour ($4.75 per quarter hour) effective July 1. The council packet notes the city still projects a roughly $4,000 annual loss on electricity for the stations at these rates, but staff framed the service as a public amenity.
Councilors discussed comparisons with other communities, billing mechanics and whether to charge by kilowatt‑hour. Staff explained the city’s ChargePoint arrangement bills hourly (with quarter‑hour increments) and that the city does not currently have the ability to charge per kilowatt‑hour through the system; ChargePoint collects payment and remits revenue to the city. Councilors asked whether the chargers stop drawing power when a vehicle reaches full charge; staff said the units modulate as a battery nears full charge and that most sessions finish below 100% battery state of charge.
Several councilors said they have seen the fast charger used by travelers, noting potential local economic benefits if drivers stop to shop while charging. Some councilors questioned the step‑up pricing and whether the city should move directly to the higher rate needed to break even; staff said the staged increases were intended to ease the transition and reflect seasonal changes in wholesale power cost. A motion to approve the tiered rates was made and seconded; the council approved the resolution by voice vote.
Staff noted the principal constraints on the rate design are the ChargePoint platform (hourly billing) and Missouri River Energy Services input on peak power impacts. The council adopted the schedule and directed staff to proceed with the rate changes and to publish the revised pricing schedule on the ChargePoint portal.
No changes to hardware or station locations were proposed; the resolution applies only to pricing for the Princeton Street level‑3 station.
