Pearl Lorentzen

Lakeside Leader

Town of Slave Lake council has asked administration to investigate changing the rate at the electric vehicle (EV) charger at the MRC.

The EV charger has become “a frequent stop for people with EVs,” Kush Patel, Project Manager, told council at its July 9 meeting.

The use is 283 per cent higher than anticipated, he added.

The charger was paid for by a grant. It has been in operation since July 6, 2023, says the written report. It has been used by 105 unique users.

For the first year, the town charged $20 per hour, which was the provincial average, said Patel. Since then, Whitecap Chevreolet, Buick, GMC in Slave Lake has added a charger which charges $25.80 per hour.

Patel suggested council increase the town’s rate to $25.

Councillor Steve Adams disagreed.

“I think we need to be on a per kilowatt charge,” he said.

To get cost recovery, this would be 99¢ per kwh, he added. However, he suggested 80¢, which the Town of Falher is charging.

A kilowatt hour rate is a new model, said Patel. It is being used by a few communities.

Council was in favour of decreasing the amount the town was subsidizing the EV charger.

We don’t subsidize gasoline, said Mayor Francesca Ward.

The subsidy isn’t very much, said Jeff Simpson, CAO. Last year, it was about $5,000. The town could spend that on a sponsorship for a one or two day event easily, he added.

“I don’t mind a little bit of a subsidy,” said Councillor Andrew Achoba, as a way to help promote a green transportation. However, he was also in favour of switching to kilowatt hours.

Councillor Brice Ferguson wanted to know if it could be adjustable for the market rate.

Administration didn’t think so, but will look into it.

Council directed administration to bring back more information on changing to kilowatt hours.