Ames Today

Electric vehicle charging rates at City of Ames-owned public chargers will increase by 2.6 cents per kWh as a result of a new state excise that takes effect July 1, 2023. The alternative fuel excise tax is collected by the State of Iowa for transportation maintenance and upkeep. The City of Ames will collect the tax from users and pass on the payment to the state.

Charging rates at Level 2 stations beginning July 1 will be 12.6 cents per kWh and charging at the Level 3 “fast chargers” will be 17.6 cents per kWh. “Even with the increase in costs, EV charging remains an affordable option for drivers,” said Energy Services Coordinator Joel Zook. According to U.S. Department of Energy, fueling electric vehicles with electricity at the City of Ames’ Level 2 charging rate is comparable to paying $1.15 per gallon of gas, when evaluating the of the cost of fuel per mile driven.

Ames Electric Services operates eight public electric vehicle charging locations. Two Level 3 Fast Chargers are located near U.S. 30 at Kum and Go, 2108 Isaac Newton Drive. Level 2 charging locations include the west parking lot of City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.; west of Ames Electric Power Plant, 200 E. Fifth St.; Ames Intermodal Facility parking ramp, 129 Hayward Ave.; West HyVee parking lot, 3800 Lincoln Way; south of Main Street in Lot X, 300 Clark Ave.; north of Ames Public Library in Lot Q, 603 Douglas Ave.; and Mary Greeley Home Healthcare parking lot, 1114 Duff Ave.

Additional public charging is offered throughout Ames by private businesses. To locate charging stations, go to https://www.plugshare.com. This website includes all brands and ownership, along with information on the charging cost and type of charger for each location.

For more information about EV chargers or rebates, contact Energy Services Coordinator Joel Zook at joel.zook@cityofames.org or 515.239.5177, or visit www.CityOfAmes.org/SmartEnergy.

Original source can be found here.