With the expiration of federal tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs) looming next month, potential buyers are rushing to take advantage of the $7,500 incentive. This surge in interest is expected to lead to an increase in EVs on the streets of Key Biscayne. However, new owners may find themselves surprised by the high cost of public charging on the island, which ranks among the most expensive in Florida.
Florida, a state where EV adoption is on the rise, is second only to California in total registrations, boasting over 250,000 electric vehicles. Though specific data for Key Biscayne is not available, the greater Miami area contributes nearly half of Florida’s total EV registrations, with electric vehicles making up 11.9% of new car sales, according to industry statistics.
On Key Biscayne, public charging rates stand at a steep 72 cents per kilowatt-hour, managed by Blink Charging. This rate is approximately four times higher than the residential rate charged by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and more than double the national average of 26 cents per kWh for medium-speed chargers. EV drivers looking for a slightly lower rate must create an account with Blink and preload a $20 balance, bringing the rate down to 62 cents per kWh. This setup comes with additional charges, including a $0.50 unlocking fee and a $0.50 per hour occupancy fee, despite the fact that all public parking on the island is free.
Moreover, Key Biscayne lacks fast chargers, which can rapidly recharge EVs in a matter of minutes, limiting options for drivers. Currently, the Village of Key Biscayne has entered into a contract with Blink Charging from 2021, allowing for eight charging slots located at Village Green, Crossbridge Church, and Beach Park. Despite repeated requests, a copy of the agreement has not been made available to the Independent.
Blink Charging is also the provider at various locations such as the Botanica condominium, where rates remain high for users. The reputation of public charging networks, particularly those not operated by Tesla, often suffers from past instances of underinvestment and lack of maintenance. This perception is gradually changing, however, thanks to new players in the market that prioritize installation speed and reliability, bolstered by significant investments from automakers and state and federal governments.
Although Miami-Dade County obtained a $4.8 million grant to improve public charging infrastructures, political decisions, including a pause on deployments by President Donald Trump, have cast uncertainty on these efforts. The closest available public charger to Key Biscayne, outside of its limits, is an FPL fast charger charging 30 cents per kWh, with the Miami Parking Authority also matching that rate.
According to Roland Samimy, Key Biscayne’s chief resiliency officer, the Blink-operated chargers are entirely managed and priced by the company, with the Village having no say in the pricing structure. Samimy did, however, note that Blink offers several pricing models that allow municipalities to control rates.
Contrastingly, numerous Level 2 chargers, often available through businesses and governments, can provide charging at little to no cost. A nearby example is Babcock Ranch, promoted as America’s first fully solar-powered town, which features a town-wide network of free or inexpensive Level 2 chargers.
Fast chargers require a substantial power grid connection to deliver megawatts of electrical capacity and therefore tend to be more costly for users, contributing to their rarity in municipal settings. Most fast chargers are operated by electric utilities or automaker-backed consortiums, including Tesla, Rivian, and General Motors.
In Florida, FPL runs over 200 Level 2 and Level 3 chargers under its EVolution brand, many of which were partly financed through grants provided by the Florida Department of Transportation. Users can expect to be charged up to 6 cents for slow charging and 30 cents for fast charging at these locations.
Samimy described the Village’s partnership with Blink Charging as an initial step program that has successfully identified appropriate Villageowned locations where residents typically park for extended periods, equipped with electrical service. He also mentioned that new Level 2 chargers are expected at the upcoming public library on the island.
Currently, Blink charges the Village for electricity at cost and retains a portion of the profits generated from its charging operations, with Village Chief Financial Officer Benjamin Nussbaum estimating annual revenues of around $10,000. Additionally, Blink is responsible for the maintenance of the charging equipment, of which four out of eight chargers on the island are presently listed as unavailable.
The Village has also implemented electric charging facilities for the Freebee EV ride service, which operates large golf cart-style vehicles transporting passengers across the island. Charging spaces for Freebee vehicles are available at the Community Center, funded by the half-penny County transportation sales tax. However, documents on the Village’s website did not clarify whether Freebee receives free electricity, nor did inquiries sent to a company spokesperson yield responses.
In conclusion, while Key Biscayne has ventured into the EV charging sphere, the complexities surrounding pricing and availability suggest that the partnership with Blink may need reevaluation once the contract concludes. A move toward considering alternatives for better, cheaper, and faster charging may be on the horizon for the Village.
image source from：kbindependent
