UFV introduces revenue-neutral fees for EV charging stations

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is introducing a new revenue-neutral fee structure for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across its campuses. The change is designed to support the long-term operation and maintenance of campus charging infrastructure while continuing to encourage sustainable transportation choices among students, faculty, staff, and visitors. 

As the number of users continues to grow, UFV is adapting its campus services to meet increasing demand for reliable and accessible charging options. The new fee will help offset the operational costs associated with electricity consumption, equipment maintenance, software management, and infrastructure improvements. 

Importantly, the fee is revenue-neutral, meaning it is not intended to generate profit for the university. Instead, the pricing model is structured to recover the direct costs of providing the service and ensure the charging stations remain financially sustainable over time. 

The fees take effect July 1, and revenue may also be used to expand UFV’s charging network. The university recently added several chargers at the Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses. Currently, up to 37 EVs can be charged at one time. 

The new fees apply to the UFV-owned ChargePoint stations. The BC Hydro chargers that are owned and operated by BC Hydro have their own fees that may differ from the ChargePoint stations. 

“The introduction of user fees aligns with broader sustainability goals at UFV, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting cleaner transportation alternatives,” said Doran Hoge, UFV director, energy and environmental sustainability. “EV charging stations remain an important part of the university’s ongoing efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient campus environment.” 

Vehicles must be plugged in and actively charging at all times when parked in an EV spot, and Doran emphasizes the importance of EV charging etiquette.  

“EV chargers are most successful when we work together as a community,” Doran said. “Drivers should ensure they are using the stations only when needed and move their car if not actively charging. Being gentle with the cords and charging port, keeping them off the ground tangle free are also steps our community can take to help extend the station life and avoid long outages due to repairs.” 

Questions about EV charging at UFV can be sent by email to Sustainability@ufv.ca, or click this link to see frequently asked questions.