Michigan EV Driver Billed $418 for Single Charging Session at Dealership
Predatory pricing at a 'public' charger highlights a critical lack of regulation in the EV infrastructure market.
An electric vehicle driver in Macomb Township, Michigan, was charged $418 for a single charging session at a dealership, sparking concerns over predatory pricing in the public charging network. The incident underscores a growing tension between dealership-hosted chargers and the drivers who rely on them.
Stanley Kpenkann, who was operating a rented Chevy Bolt EV, incurred the massive bill after using a charger at Elder Hyundai. Despite the station being listed as public on the EVgo app, the dealership had implemented a pricing structure of $5 per kWh plus an additional $5 per minute of connection. The resulting bill for the 44-minute session left Kpenkann stunned. "I was flabbergasted," Kpenkann told Electrek. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be saddled with a bill of $418 for a charging session."
The 'Public' Charger Paradox
This incident is part of a broader trend where car dealerships host charging stations that appear public on navigation apps but are functionally restricted. While listed for general use, these stations are often used by dealerships to reserve capacity for their own service customers and inventory. To discourage non-customers from occupying the plugs, some operators resort to exorbitant rates or physical barriers like security gates and restricted store hours.
Similar reports of price gouging have emerged elsewhere. In Union, New Jersey, a driver named Steve Birkett was charged $15 per kWh by a Hyundai dealer. Additionally, a Redditor known as C1rcuitBoard reported a bill of $671.60 at an MES-branded station located in Sycamore, Illinois.
Infrastructure and Regulation
These pricing spikes highlight a critical regulatory gap in the EV market. Unlike traditional gas stations, which are generally required to display pricing clearly on visible signage, EV charging lacks standardized pricing regulations. This opacity allows operators to implement predatory rates that can fleece inexperienced drivers or those in urgent need of power.
Industry analysts suggest that such practices do more than just hurt individual wallets; they undermine the perceived reliability of the public charging infrastructure. When drivers cannot trust the cost or availability of a listed station, it creates a negative perception of EV ownership and increases "range anxiety" for potential buyers.
Looking Ahead
As the EV market expands, the industry is watching whether regulators will step in to mandate price transparency for charging operators. For now, drivers are cautioned to verify pricing within apps or on-site before plugging in, as the designation of "public" does not always guarantee fair market rates.