The Laguna Niguel Beacon

The Laguna Niguel City Council recently adopted the City's 'Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Policy' and associated fees during the September 17th City Council meeting. The Policy and the new fees are specific to the public use of City-owned EV charging stations, and will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Following a comprehensive study, the City evaluated its usage trends and costs, along with the pricing strategies of neighboring jurisdictions. The new fee structure introduces a charge of $0.25 per kilowatt-hour for Level 2 charging stations, and $0.40 per kilowatt-hour for Level 3 Direct Current Fast Charging stations.

To encourage efficient use, an Overstay Fee of $15.00 per hour will be applied if the three-hour charging limit and 15-minute grace period are exceeded. A Dwell Time Fee of $10.00 per hour will be applied once a vehicle is fully charged and the 15-minute grace period has expired, encouraging users to move their vehicles for the benefit of others.

These fees are designed to offset electricity and operating costs while ensuring that the City can maintain and expand its EV charging infrastructure. In addition, the City is planning to install a new Level 3 charging station at City Hall, with installation anticipated for early 2025.

Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these upcoming changes to ensure a smooth transition on January 1, 2025. Please note that all City-owned EV charging stations operate exclusively through the ChargePoint application. For more details on the EV Charging Station Policy, visit cityoflagunaniguel.org/ev.