Knox City Council will increase the cost of electric vehicle charging and introduce new idle fees from 1 August 2025 under its revised EV Policy.
The usage fee for Council-operated EV charging stations will rise from 20 cents to 25 cents per kilowatt-hour, a 25% increase designed to help recover electricity and maintenance costs. A new idle fee of $1.00 per minute will also be introduced, capped at $100 per session, to encourage turnover and prevent station blockages.
The proposed charges are expected to be adopted at the 14 July Council meeting. Officers say the new fee structure has been benchmarked against other metropolitan councils and commercial operators.
Revenue raised will be reinvested in the maintenance and expansion of EV infrastructure across the municipality. Charging stations are currently located in high-use areas such as libraries, community centres and major car parks.
The updated EV Policy supports the city’s Net Zero 2040 goal, focusing on equitable access to sustainable transport and encouraging a shift to low-emissions vehicles.
Residents can provide feedback on the policy and fee structure via the Knox City Council website at www.knox.vic.gov.au.
