Arlington County drivers could soon pay significantly more to charge their electric vehicles at county-run stations, with officials considering a significant increase to charging rates.
For residents who depend on those public chargers, the proposed change would make transportation more expensive at a time when local demand is rising.
Here's what to know
According to ARLnow, the Arlington County Board is considering a roughly 72% increase for charging at public EV stations owned by the county. Staff said moving from 17.46 cents to 30 cents per kilowatt-hour would help address higher energy expenses and recover some capital costs.
The increase would directly affect drivers' wallets, as the outlet described. A standard EV uses roughly 25 to 60 kilowatt-hours per 100 miles, meaning the county's current rate works out to about $4.37 to $10.48 per 100 miles. At 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, that same distance would cost about $7.50 to $18.
In a memo cited by ARLnow, Arlington County staff said: "The proposed base fee is in line with the rates charged at government-owned stations in Fairfax County and Prince William County and remains below most commercial rates in the county and the region."
The measure is listed on the County Board's Oct. 17 consent agenda.
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More background
Since the charging program launched in 2022, county officials said 2026 is shaping up to be the busiest year yet. From January through June, charger use had already reached 65% of the total recorded during all of 2025, ARLnow said.
Officials also said the county's chargers typically operate at a 20% utilization rate, which they described as above the national average.
As the publication noted, every county station uses Level 2 chargers, and a full charge for a passenger vehicle can take several hours. Because sessions can last that long, both the electricity price and parking-related fees can shape the total amount a driver pays.
What's being done?
ARLnow reported another part of the ordinance would let the county manager and staff update fees when the Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association rate schedule changes, because that schedule sets what the county government pays for electricity.
Board members are also considering narrowing the hours when a separate "dwell fee" applies, the publication said. Drivers are charged $3 an hour beginning 15 minutes after charging ends, no matter the time of day.
If approved, the amendment would turn off that $3-per-hour charge between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. That would let drivers leave vehicles in EV charging spaces overnight after charging is complete without adding more fees.
If any Board member opts to discuss the measure or if a community member asks to testify, the timeline will be pushed back, ARLnow reported. It would then be pulled from the consent agenda for discussion and a final vote on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Where can I learn more?
Arlington's proposal touches on bigger questions about what EV charging should cost and how easy it is to find an affordable public plug.
• During Memorial Day weekend, one driver found public charging prices swing wildly even near cheaper Tesla stations.
• Across the US, apartment residents have said free plugs are vanishing as EV adoption grows.
• Nationwide, home charging still runs 5 to 6 cents a mile for many drivers.
• In Washington, a driver showed how $0.08 nighttime charging can undercut $5.35 gas.
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