City of Rochester says its new EV charger rates will promote fairness and access

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Starting January 1, Rochester will introduce a new rate structure for City-owned public Level 2 electric vehicle chargers. The new rate will be $0.17 per kilowatt-hour, with a $5 hourly idle fee applied 30 minutes after a vehicle finishes charging. The City says it aims to ensure fairness and transparency for EV users. By charging per kilowatt-hour, residents will only pay for the electricity they consume. The idle fee is meant to encourage turnover, allowing more residents to access chargers throughout the day. “The City’s updated rate structure reflects our commitment to providing reliable and equitable access to public charging,” said Kayla Betzold, City Sustainability Coordinator. “As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, this approach ensure