The Town of Qualicum Beach will no longer offer free electric vehicle charging.
After nearly a decade of providing free EV charging to the community, the town will begin implementing usage-based fees at its municipal charging facilities as of July 7.
The new fee structure is designed to help offset operational costs as EV adoption continues to rise. The rates will be 2.5 cents per minute for the first two hours, and seven cents per minute after two hours.
“Over the past nine years, we’ve proudly supported the transition to low-emission vehicles by providing free EV charging,” said Mayor Teunis Westbroek. “As more people make the switch to electric, it’s important that we manage demand and operating costs responsibly, while continuing to encourage sustainable travel.”
Revenue from the new fee structure will help cover electricity use, maintenance, and future upgrades to the EV charging infrastructure. The change aids the town’s commitment to supporting green transportation while ensuring long-term financial sustainability and availability of this growing service.
There are currently eight dual EV charging stations throughout the town, including the waterfront, airport and Town Hall. For a full list of charging stations, visit chargepoint.com.
