The City of Winter Park released official details of upcoming connection rates for its public-facing electric vehicle (EV) chargers that include parking enforcement and a start date of November 1st.
As previously reported by the32789, the measures are in response to misuses ranging from extended connection times and use of the EV-designated parking spaces by unconnected vehicles. According to a statement from the city, the connection rates will be as follows:
- $1 per 20 minutes of connected time, billed at the start of the charging period.
- An additional $10 per hour after three hours of connected time, billed at the start of each hour.
Winter Park began installing EV chargers in 2011 and currently offers 13 units at 11 locations. The use of EVs supports the Sustainability Action Plan by reducing greenhouse emissions, and the approximate cost of $35,000 per charger was funded by state and county grants. Usage rates can be calculated and charged by the city’s ChargePoint stations and city staff are currently seeking additional grant-funding for more chargers.
The Utilities Advisory Board passed a motion on April 23 to require fees and enforcement after numerous reports of misuse. The motion was approved by City Commission on August 28 but the proposed start date of October was recently changed to November.
Winter Park Police Department will also begin issuing citations to enforce the following restrictions on parking spaces designated for EV charging:
- EVs must be connected to the charging station when parked in the space.
- Non-EVs are prohibited from parking in spaces designated for charging in accordance with city ordinances.
An outreach campaign geared toward public education of the measures is under way and will continue until fees and enforcements begin on November 1st. For more information on city-owned EV chargers and connection fees, access cityofwinterpark.org/EVCharging or email sustainability@cityofwinterpark.org.