FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Introduces the "2 for 2" EV Charging Station
Oak Harbor, WA - July 30, 2025—The City will be implementing a new pricing policy for the public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations on Dock Street starting on August 6, 2025. The first two hours of charging will remain free, followed by a $2.00 per-hour fee thereafter.
These downtown charging stations have been free to use, funded in part by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) grant to support tourism. However, with increased use and aging infrastructure, the stations have experienced frequent misuse, often by drivers who occupy the spaces for extended periods without actively charging, limiting access for others. Adding a small fee to the charging stations will make them more accessible overall since public charging stations on the island, including those in Oak Harbor, are limited.
To address this, the City Council approved a change in the Master Fee Schedule to introduce timed fees. New signage will be installed in the coming days to notify users of the new “2 for 2” policy.
2 free hours, then $2 per hour thereafter.
“This isn’t about generating revenue, it’s about access,” said Sabrina Combs, City Administrator. “Downtown businesses expressed their concerns to a few City Council members and myself about the charging stations being misused, so we developed a solution. We want these stations available for everyone, and this fee encourages turnover so more drivers can benefit.”
Revenue collected from the fees will be directed to the City’s General Fund to help offset maintenance costs, electricity use, and future upgrades to the EV charging stations.
###
For more information, please contact Communications Officer, Magi Aguilar at maguilar@oakharbor.org