RMOW to roll out fees for EV charging stations starting this spring

Fee structure supports ambitious Big Moves Strategy to see significantly adoption of EVs in the community              

This week, Whistler Council voted in favour of moving ahead with the 2021 Whistler EV Charger User Fee Strategy to implement fees at charging stations managed by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) in three phases between now and summer 2022.

The simple, clear fee structure has been carefully considered to support EV adoption while incentivizing home charging, increasing turnover at charging stations, and recovering municipal operating costs. The proposed fees also mirror fee structures in other communities and will be evaluated over time based on reliable, long-term usage data and community engagement.

“With this fee structure, the RMOW is taking an important step in maturing our EV charger station network to meet the growing demand for car charging while balancing other needs like parking lot turnover and municipal cost recovery, as well as making sure EV ownership remains a cost-effective option over internal combustion engine vehicles,” said Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton. “This becomes even more crucial as the municipality continues to advocate for EV adoption in the community, with an ambitious goal of having 50 per cent of all car kilometers driven in Whistler be with zero emission vehicles in 2030, as articulated in the recently adopted Whistler Climate Action Big Moves Strategy.”

Proposed fee structure

The proposed EV charging fee structure for municipal operated stations is as follows:

• Spring 2021: A fee of $1 per hour will be applied to all Level 2 EV stations outside of the Day Lots.
• Winter 2021/2022: A fee of $1 per hour is being considered for all Level 2 EV stations in the Day Lots, with a ceiling cost of $5 a day. Based on data collected over the summer, fees for stations outside the Day Lots may be increased to $2 per hour.
• Summer 2022: Further adjustments may be made to the fee structure based on charger demand and usage.

The EV user fees will be charged in addition to regular parking fees in the locations above.

Consistent community and stakeholder engagement is a key component of the EV station fee strategy. Engagement activities are scheduled to take place after each phase is implemented to evaluate the strategy and impact of the fees. This includes engagement activities this summer and next summer. Details on the engagement activities will be released at a later date.

Moving Whistler towards EV adoption

The RMOW has an overarching goal to decarbonize passenger and commercial transportation, through the Whistler Climate Action Big Moves Strategy adopted in December 2020.

By 2030, the RMOW wants 50 per cent of all vehicle kilometres travelled to be through zero-emission vehicles. In other words, half of all cars on the road in nine years should be EVs.

Currently the RMOW operates 19 Level 2 vehicle charging stations at the Day Lots, Whistler Conference Centre, Municipal Hall, Meadow Park Sports Centre and Public Works Yard.

A DC Fast Charging Station is also located at the Whistler Conference Centre underground parking lot and operated by BC Hydro. There is no fee to park, but users pay a charging fee. Charging time at the new fast charger is limited to 45 minutes to ensure all users have access to this location.

The RMOW is exploring installing additional chargers throughout the community and has recently submitted a grant application to the CleanBC Communities Fund to fund 73.3 per cent of a proposed Sea to Sky EV Network Expansion Project.

Learn more at whistler.ca/EV.