Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Ev Charging topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Acton Select Board adopts idle fees for town electric vehicle chargers
Summary
The Acton Select Board voted to set idle fees for fast and Level 2 public EV chargers, establishing a 30‑minute grace period at fast chargers and a 12‑hour threshold at Level 2 stations. The motion sets $6 per hour for fast‑charger idling (capped at $50) and $2.40 per hour at Level 2 after the threshold; vote was unanimous.
The Acton Select Board voted to impose idle fees at town electric vehicle charging stations and approved a motion to implement distinct thresholds and charges for fast chargers and Level 2 chargers.
Director of Sustainability Andrea (last name not provided) told the board that the town’s charger revenue data show idling is occurring and recommended fees to encourage turnover. “The big reason that I am here today is to talk about setting an idle fee,” Andrea said, describing a proposed 15‑minute grace period at the Veterans Field fast charger and a $5 per hour fee billed in 15‑minute increments after the grace period (the memo’s numbers were discussed and adjusted during the meeting).
The Select Board discussed several changes to the sustainability office proposal, including lengthening the fast‑charger grace period and raising the per‑hour idle fee. Member David moved the final motion: “I propose that we institute idle fees at our charging stations for the Level 2 chargers, $2.40 an hour after 12 hours of idle. And for the fast chargers, $6 an hour after 30 minutes of idle and a maximum of $50,” which a board member seconded. Board members spoke in favor of a longer grace period for fast chargers and larger fees to discourage vehicles from occupying fast ports when they are no longer charging.
The motion passed on a voice vote with all members saying “aye.” The sustainability office will implement the rates and idle fees at the town’s charging stations and will continue to monitor usage and revenue; board members asked staff to revisit the rates once the grant period that currently covers some network fees ends next August.
Background and context: Town sustainability staff provided a fiscal‑year‑2025 usage and cost summary showing the town’s net revenue on some chargers and higher idling rates at others, notably Veterans Field and the South Acton commuter rail station (the MBTA pays electricity at the commuter rail facility). The board debated industry norms for idle fees (Andrea cited a $5 per hour option she analyzed) and appropriate grace periods for users who may be away from their vehicles briefly. Select Board members emphasized balancing turnover at high‑use chargers against reasonable tolerance for users who cannot immediately return to their cars.
Next steps: Staff will publish the new fee structure and the schedule for implementation. The board and staff asked the sustainability office to return with additional usage data and a recommendation on any needed future rate adjustments once grant‑funded network fees change.
