The West Tisbury Select Board is considering getting rid of the town’s free electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, after a suggestion that wealthier car owners are using the stations.
When first added to the town’s landscape, West Tisbury’s EV charging stations were all free to use in order to help encourage electrification, Kate Warner, a member of the West Tisbury energy committee, said at a select board meeting last week.
“But now, we’re in a different place,” Warner said, noting that the cars that are using the charging stations are typically high-end vehicles, suggesting that the drivers of those vehicles don’t necessarily need free power.
“These are expensive cars,” Warner said of the majority of the EVs utilizing the town’s charging stations. “These are $100,000 cars … So why is the town that is strapped for cash subsidizing, when the cost of gas is almost $5 per gallon?”
“These are not people that need subsidies from our town,” she added.
Currently, only one of the town’s three charging stations requires payment. Warner said that because other stations provide free power, the West Tisbury library’s two-port charger, which costs 30¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), gets less usage.
She recommended the town charge for the use of all its EV stations — a suggestion not so far-fetched, considering most other municipalities have already implemented fees.
On a recent trip off-Island, Warner said she found that free charging stations on the mainland are few and far between, with costs ranging anywhere from 63 cents per kWh to 87 cents per kWh.
An average electric vehicle consumes around 30 kilowatt-hours to travel 100 miles.
On the Island, Warner said, the cost to charge your EV in Edgartown is 25¢ per kWh. Aquinnah is also considering implementing fees for the power usage, although that hasn’t yet been approved.
“Your demand and capacity chargers are greater to the electrical company,” Warner explained to the board, adding that the electric company looks at how much power or electricity is being used at peak times, and then charges accordingly.
Because the current EV charging stations that provide free usage are unable to be converted to a system with payment, Warner suggested options on how to proceed.
West Tisbury can purchase new charging stations, she said, noting that a new, two-port charger would cost the town around $15,000 to $20,000. Including a payment system with a new station would cost around $2,500 for five years.
In the meantime, Warner suggested that the free stations be earmarked solely for municipal vehicles.
The recommendation received a mixed response from select board members.
While board member Jessica Miller said she supported the idea, noting that the town is “giving money away by letting people charge for free,” board chair Skipper Manter was reluctant to offer his approval.
“I like encouraging more people to convert to electric cars,” he said.
Manter also noted that EV owners don’t all fall within the same economic class, and not every electric car on-Island costs the owner $100,000.
But Warner said she’s observed little diversity among EV drivers charging their vehicles in town. They’re “predominantly” more expensive cars, “like Teslas and Rivians,” she said.
Board member Cynthia Mitchell called for “a softer transition,” and suggested that if the town decides to begin charging for the use of the EV stations, it should be free in the meantime.
The select board ultimately decided to table the discussion for a later date, and will be looking into obtaining additional grants through the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP).
Through that program, eligible entities (public, private, and nonprofit workplaces with 15 or more employees) apply for funding that would cover up to 60 percent of costs for charging stations, and up to $50,000 per location.
Yeah you cant give free electricity to white supremacy rich people. Poor people who have an EV should show a certificate of penury (maybe too large a word for MV people) and then get to plug in. Others with rapacious wealth get disqualified. Oh sorry, Identification and certification is not necessary to vote so why for Ev’s?
Well, we people who would qualify for the certificate of penury also pay for gasoline and oil for our cars, in that we can’t, largely, afford EVs. So fair is fair, don’t you think?
And the folks who take care of the voting booths in Oak Bluffs do know me, so I’d be shocked if they asked for an ID. It’s quite enough to have the bank tellers ask me, I think.
you know, andy– your condescending remark about the vocbulalaric ( yup– my word, but understandable) skills of the people on this island are far superior to most people in “red” states, including Florida.
And you know, I didn’t see anything in this article about denying white supremacist access to these stations.
I really have to wonder why you brought that into this conversation?
Do you have some implicit idea that only white supremacists can afford these expensive vehicles.?.. Let me be kind to you and rephrase that– Do you think only white people can afford these vehicles ? Of course, only a tiny fraction of white people are white supremacist–
I can afford one of these– I am white– I am not a white supremist.
“Me thinks you doth protest too much “
Shocking! Electric vehicles which are far more expensive than gas powered vehicles are being driven by wealthy people!! No Way! Say it ain’t so.
Shocking, there is no shortage of EVs on the market for under $ 20,000, with a range that is more than 60% of new.
I know that is still out of reach for successful tradesmen, management pays more.
You don’t know anything about the trades on MV if you think they don’t make bank! The majority most certainly can afford a $20k vehicle.
My sarc has no end.
The painful truth.
And the insurance is also such a bargain!
“Why Do Electric Cars Cost More to Insure?
“Even though they don’t run on fossil fuels or require oil changes, and they have fewer moving parts to break, electric vehicles cost more to buy than their internal-combustion counterparts. Since they tend to cost more, they cost more to insure. EVs also cost more to replace if you get into a car accident and it’s your fault, and the car gets totaled by the insurer.”
What would be a trivial fender-bender often turns into a major problem because of the complexities of the vehicle’s construction and elements.
And if your EV or eBike happens to start a fire—Don’t worry, be happy!
Basically these fires cannot be put out.
https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a43250503/electric-vehicle-fires-increase/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/06/20/4-killed-in-latest-nyc-e-bike-fire-as-officials-warn-about-dangerous-batteries/?sh=3264752c4c06
actually, John– you might be correct if you cherry pick prices..
But let me cherry pick also.
The Tesla model 3 MSRP is $40,240 (all electric)
The Chevy volt is $34, 395 (all electric)
The average price for a new car in the U.S in 2023 is $48,528
https://www.kbb.com/car-news/average-new-car-price-holding-steady-under-sticker/
It ain’t so—
Finally someone looking out for the taxpayer. Better late than never to understand that the taxpayer is not a bottomless pit of money and that these are real dollars we are paying.
What percentage of the Island’s tax revenue has gone to charging private vehicles?
Tax dollars should not be used to buy private power.
I don’t mind an initial tax subsidy as part of implementation.
How much are you out of pocket for charging private vehicles , the cost of a tank of gas?
Some people incessantly beat the tax drum.
Bob how much should our taxes be, keeping in mind what you want to be funded?
How about charging an annual access fee for use? The chargepoint stations don’t always work when one needs them — sometimes it’s a software or connectivity issue with our cell phones. Having an alternate to the Chargepoint system has been extremely helpful. I’m willing to pay a permit fee to use non Chargepoint stations. I pray we don’t lose access. Thanks for considering this idea.
How treating it just like gasoline?
You pay for what you get.
“I’m willing to pay a permit fee to use non Chargepoint stations.” per kWh?
As someone who drives a gas-powered vehicle but plans to replace it eventually (hopefully sooner rather than later) with an EV, I support the move to charge for fuel, electric and other wise, especially from town owned chargers. Otherwise, I’d encourage you to consider offering a gas subsidy to all of your town taxpayers who can’t afford a new EV.
Sounds fair enough to me. At the very least charge enough for a town to break even on installation and maintenance cost. If said town were to profit a bit more than expected there is always a good local charity to donate to.
Or I always see fancy expensive cars after dark dumping their trash in a town or privately owned stores trash can so they don’t have to pay for trash removal. Use the extra income to purchase security cameras for the trash cans and using the cars plate number mail these people a trash bill.
Not shown on the map are two ‘for-pay’ charging ports at the Airport outside the Fire and Rescue building by the general aviation gate. I have been driving an electric care for the past eight years, and have almost always charged it at home, which means I paid for the electricity. I think charging for the electricity at town charging stations is fair provided the rate isn’t meant to generate a profit for the town. Encouraging the use electric cars, regardless of what the cars cost and/or the wealth of its owner, makes sense. Wealthy people don’t pay more for gasoline because they’re wealthy. All the island towns get their electricity from solar arrays. Whatever the cost/kWh from those arrays is should be the cost for charging a car regardless of the car, whether the owner is an Island resident, or someone you don’t like.
Yep.
The origin of EVs was not based on free power. There have been some tax incentives for adoption of Evs, they should phased out, like the tax incentives for nuclear.
What percentage of power that went into EVs last year was paid for with tax dollars.
That might be interesting to know before using alarmist rhetoric like Bottomless Pit of Money.
The question of wind, solar and EVs is not if, but how fast.
If I were betting man I would bet you ten thousand dollars that EV sales will increase by ten percent per year. (one hundred thousand at one percent, I am risk averse.)
The only EVs that should receive a charging power incentive is the over $100,000 models that give our hardworking union workers enough money to scrape by on.
Take the burden off the town’s taxpayers, charge at least a nominal rate that will cover all the expenses of owning, running and maintaining these stations.
Of course! But their should be a subsidy like reduced price school lunches.
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