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Electric Vehicles & Charging Infrastructure

Electric vehicles (EVs) help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. When powered by renewable energy, EVs contribute to even greater environmental benefits. Expanding EV charging infrastructure in Rochester helps remove barriers to adoption, particularly for residents who do not have access to charging at home and supports the broader transition to clean transportation. 

The City of Rochester is committed to providing accessible, convenient, and transparent public EV charging. Below you will find information on City-owned charging stations, new rates, how to pay, and helpful resources. 

City-Owned Electric Vehicle Charging Rates:

Beginning January 1, 2026, City-owned public Level 2 chargers will operate under a new rate structure:

  • $0.17 per kilowatt hour (kWh)
  • $5 hourly idle fee applied 30 minutes after your vehicle is fully charged

 These changes are designed to ensure fairness, transparency and access. Residents pay only for the electricity they use, similar to how they pay for energy at home. The idle fee encourages turnover at charging stations, making charger available to more users throughout the day. 

Find City-Owned EV Chargers

All City-owned Level 2 chargers are compatible with the ChargePoint app. To start charging: 

  1. Locate a City-owned charging station using the map or the ChargePoint app.

  2. Download the ChargePoint app on your mobile device.

  3. Create a profile in the app, including adding a payment method and enabling notifications.

  4. Hold your phone over the charging port to unlock it.

  5. Plug the connector into your vehicle to begin charging.

  6. Make sure notifications are enabled in the app to receive updates.

  7. You will receive a notification when your vehicle has finished charging and when an idle fee is applied. 

By following these steps, you can ensure you are only paying for energy used and avoid unnecessary idle fees. To see a step-by-step video of this process, click here.  

Tips to avoid idle fees: 

  • Monitor your charge via the ChargePoint app 

  • Move your vehicle promptly after charging completes 

  • Enable push notifications in the app to receive idle fee alerts 

What is an idle fee?

An idle fee is a charge applied when a vehicle remains connected to a charging station 30 minutes after it has finished charging. The purpose of this fee is to encourage drivers to move their vehicles so other drivers can access the charger.

  • $5 hourly idle fee applied 30 minutes after your vehicle is fully charged.

To Avoid an Idle Fee

  • Enable notifications in the ChargePoint app to receive updates.
  • You will get a notification when your vehicle has finished charging.
  • You have 30 minutes to move your vehicle after receiving the notification.
  • You will also see another notification if an idle fee begins to apply.

This helps ensure you can move your vehicle promptly and avoid unnecessary charges.

Example:

  • Vehicle is plugged in at 10:03 a.m.
  • Vehicle is fully charged by 3:42 p.m.
  • You have 30 minutes, until 4:12 p.m., to move your vehicle from the EV parking spot.
  • If your vehicle is still at the EV parking space at 4:13 p.m., a five-dollar idle fee will be applied for each hour it remains plugged in.

How are parking fees collected at EV charging stations?

  • Ground lots: In downtown surface lots such as City Hall, a one-dollar parking fee is automatically included in the EV charging rate. This allows drivers to pay for both charging and parking in a single transaction so no separate parking ticket is required.
  • Parking ramps: In gated parking ramps, parking fees and EV charging fees are collected separately. Standard ramp parking rates apply and must be paid when exiting the facility. Charging session costs are processed through the ChargePoint app.

Additional Information

Currently, Rochester Public Utilities offers rebates to customers that purchase new electric vehicles and switch to the Time-of-Use utility rates. More on owning an EV, including an interactive fuel savings calculator, can be found on RPU’s Electric Vehicles website.   

Additionally, the federal government offers up to $7,500 in tax credits on qualifying electric vehicle purchases for residents.

Resources:

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City of Rochester

201 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904

PHONE: 507-328-2311
FAX: 507-328-2901

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