- Beginning August 1, Cary-owned public EV charging stations will transition to a fee-based charging model that supports the long-term maintenance, reliability, and expansion of the Town's growing charging network.
- The new fee structure includes a charging rate of $0.20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and an idle fee after three hours of charging to encourage turnover and improve charger availability for all users.
- With EV registrations up 29% from 2024 to 2025, Cary continues to support a reliable, financially sustainable public charging network.
Cary, NC — Beginning August 1, electric vehicle (EV) drivers using Cary-owned public EV charging stations will transition to a fee-based charging model to support the long-term reliability and maintenance of the Town's growing public charging network. The new fee structure comes as EV adoption continues to accelerate both locally and across the Triangle. From 2024 to 2025, the number of registered electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Cary grew by 29%. Today, more than 6,200 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are registered in Cary, and demand for public charging continues to grow.
Charging fees will be based on the amount of electricity used, at a rate of $0.20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). To encourage turnover and keep charging stations available for other drivers, an idle fee of $10 per hour will apply after three hours of charging, following a 15-minute grace period. The idle fee is in addition to the charging rate, and the maximum daily charge is $100. For drivers, the charging experience will remain familiar. Users will continue to access and pay for charging via their smartphones, just as they do with many other public charging networks throughout the region.
"Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common part of everyday life in Cary," said Energy Manager Sara Caliendo. "This transition helps ensure our public charging network remains reliable, accessible, and financially sustainable as more residents and visitors choose electric transportation."
Charging fees will help offset the costs of electricity, software, routine maintenance, repairs, and future equipment replacement while supporting continued investment in Cary's public charging infrastructure. Cary currently maintains 65 public charging ports located at parks, parking decks, and other community destinations.
The move also aligns Cary with neighboring communities and industry standards, where fee-based public charging has become the norm. By encouraging turnover at charging stations, the new model is expected to improve charger availability and reduce long-term occupancy of charging spaces.
Most EV owners complete the majority of their charging at home or at work, making Cary's public charging network an important supplemental resource for convenient "top-off" charging while visiting parks, downtown destinations, community centers, and other public spaces.
The transition supports Cary's Sustainability & Climate Action Strategy by helping maintain dependable infrastructure that encourages cleaner transportation options while ensuring public resources are managed responsibly. It also complements Cary's broader Green Fleet initiative, which continues to expand the use of alternative fuel vehicles and innovative technologies to reduce emissions while maintaining high-quality municipal services.
"Cary is committed to building a transportation system that is both sustainable and resilient," Caliendo said. "A reliable public charging network is an important part of that vision, and this update helps position us to support the needs of our growing EV community for years to come."
EV drivers can visit carync.gov/evcharging webpage to:
- View the new charging rates
- Find public charging locations
- Learn how to access charging stations
- Review frequently asked questions about the transition
Primary Contacts
If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email 311@carync.gov.
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