A heated debate over whether ratepayers should subsidise electric vehicle charging has erupted at the City of Stirling after the council voted to investigate opening dozens of restricted charging stations to the public.
Current EV Charging Network
Of the 53 electric vehicle stations managed by the city across five sites, which feature 95 total charging points, only 10 chargers providing 19 individual charging points are currently available for general use. The council voted 12–3 on Tuesday night in support of a motion on notice from Cr Joe Ferrante, meaning a report will now be prepared by city officers to consider opening more of these charging stations to the public and offering discounted user rates.
Cr Ferrante's Proposal
Cr Ferrante believes the city should consider offering a discount on the price per kilowatt for a limited period, “as similarly done in reducing the fuel levy, to help in the cost-of-living expenses”, and said it could also benefit the city financially. “I’d like to move it in regards to utilising assets that we’ve paid a considerable amount of money for and, obviously, a new revenue stream for the city — how is that not considered?” Cr Ferrante said during the meeting.
According to city directors, the city currently charges around 45 cents per kilowatt hour for use of its EV charging network, which they say is at the higher end of market rates across Perth. Most of the city’s EV chargers are at its administration building in Stirling.
Opposition to the Motion
Not everyone was on board with Cr Ferrante’s proposal. Cr Tony Krsticevic argued that EV users already pay less than most motorists. “At the moment, for someone who has an electric vehicle, it costs them anywhere between $9 and $39 to fill up their vehicle with a 60-kilowatt battery, which will get them about 450km,” Cr Krsticevic said. “Someone who’s got a petrol car is paying over $100 to fill up their car to do the same kilometres, and this motion is saying that people who are paying between nine and $39 should get a further discount from the city?
“I do not support increasing rates or cutting services to provide EV users with cheaper power to run their cars when they’re already paying nothing, and most of these people would probably already have solar power on their homes, which means they’re probably paying even zero to charge their cars. So I just want to put that on the record that I’m not considering giving them free electricity or paying them money and making ratepayers pay for it.”
Voting Outcome
Mayor Mark Irwin, deputy Mayor Cr Karlo Perkov and Cr Michael Dudek voted against the motion. Mr Irwin expressed confusion over Cr Krsticevic’s support for the motion after speaking against it. “Cr Krsticevic, after wasting our time, has voted for it. So for those members of the gallery and viewers at home, you should be as confused as I am,” he joked.
A report on Cr Ferrante’s proposal is expected to be presented to council for consideration at its June 9 meeting.
Reaction from Other Councils
City of Belmont mayor Robert Rossi was cool on the idea when it was raised at a meeting of its council. “Offering free charging ... means all ratepayers effectively subsidising a small group of EV owners,” Mr Rossi said. “We wouldn’t do the same for petrol users.”
