New law provides for an extra hourly surcharge for using electric vehicle charging stations – drivers have to pay for two services at the same time

PARKING in a popular city center area will become more expensive as authorities try to make more spaces available for other drivers.

Parking rule changes, including a new hourly rate for EVs, will go into effect in Sarasota, Florida on Monday, July 15.

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Electric vehicle drivers are preparing to spend an extra dollar for every hour their vehicle is plugged into downtown chargers.

Previously, public EV charging was free for all drivers.

City officials said the small fee would offset the actual cost of the service.

“This charge will help cover energy costs for the city through electric vehicle charging,” city communications assistant Luke Mocherman told The US Sun.

The fee applies to all 23 downtown loading ports, Mocherman confirmed.

Most charging stations in Sarasota are Level 2, according to Charger.

It typically takes a few hours for all-electric vehicles to reach 100% charge at Level 2 outlets.

However, most private charging points are more expensive than the city’s $1 hourly charge.

The city is also increasing the price of parking in garages.

Previously, the first two hours of parking in the garage were free.

Drivers will now be charged $2 for the second hour and $1 for each hour thereafter.

Drivers can pay a maximum of $23 for general use of a parking space.

However, EV drivers using public chargers in the garage will be charged for two services simultaneously.

Electric vehicle drivers who use the chargers will pay $1 per charging hour in addition to the garage fee.

“For garage spaces equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, users will pay the new $1 per hour fee in addition to the hourly garage parking rate, where applicable,” Mocherman told The US Sun.

City parking manager Broxton Harvey said the charges are part of an effort to increase vehicle turnover in the city center.

“We are a growing city and our parking program needs to reflect best practices across the country that encourage parking space turnover without deterring visitors who want to experience all that Sarasota has to offer,” he said in a statement.

“These changes strike a necessary balance for our community.”

A section of Benjamin Franklin Drive is also about to receive a $1 per hour parking fee.

However, the city said it would maintain more than 300 spaces near the Lido Beach Pavilion as a courtesy.

The city said drivers can pay for services with a credit card or through the ParkMobile app.