Saskatoon has officially pulled the plug on free electric vehicle (EV) charging at its two city-owned stations, introducing a $5.35 per hour fee that took effect Thursday. The new rate applies to the Level 2 chargers located at the Lakewood and Lawson civic centres — and it’s already raising eyebrows for being significantly higher than typical public charging costs elsewhere in Canada.
Rates Far Above National Average
The price point has sparked debate, as SaskPower estimates that the average cost to charge at a Level 2 station is between $1 and $2.50 per hour. By comparison, other major cities charge far less: Toronto offers Level 2 charging for $2 per hour or a $3 flat overnight rate, while Calgary provides access to its 70 city-run chargers for free beyond regular parking fees.
In the Vancouver area rates typically fall between $1.50 and $3 per hour. That means Saskatoon’s new rate of $5.35 per hour is roughly double to five times higher than what most EV drivers across Canada pay.
At that price, a typical three-hour charging session — common for Level 2 stations — would cost about $16, compared to $4 to $8 in most other regions. The move makes Saskatoon’s chargers among the most expensive municipally operated Level 2 stations in the country.
City Moves to Cut Subsidy Costs
The change comes after Saskatoon City Council voted in August to implement the fee as part of its ongoing effort to reduce the municipal subsidy required to maintain the chargers. According to a city report, Saskatoon spent approximately $100,000 in 2023 to launch the chargers under a pilot project linked to its low-emissions community plan. The goal was to encourage EV adoption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (via CBC)
However, operating costs have proven steep. The city says it costs roughly $21,400 a year to keep the stations running — with about $12,000 of that spent on staff and maintenance. Council ultimately chose the highest of five proposed fee options, citing the need to recover as much of those costs as possible.
Even with the new $5.35 per hour fee, officials estimate the city will still need to subsidize between $4,000 and $8,000 annually to operate the two sites.
Councillors Split on Decision
Not all council members supported the steep fee increase. Councillors Jasmin Parker and Kathryn MacDonald voted against the measure, suggesting more modest rates of $2 or $3 per hour could have balanced accessibility with cost recovery.
Despite the controversy, council also endorsed exploring third-party operation of the charging stations to further reduce taxpayer burden.
Growing EV Demand in Saskatoon
While the new fees may discourage casual users, demand for electric vehicles in Saskatoon continues to rise. The number of registered EVs and hybrids in the city has soared from just 18 in 2018 to more than 500 by last year.
The $5.35 per hour fee applies around the clock, including weekends and holidays.
