Dive Brief:
- Indiana regulators are considering a $16 million rate increase proposed by Indianapolis Power & Light (IPL) to support an electric vehicle sharing program being developed by French company Bollore.
- The program, dubbed BlueIndy, would provide electric vehicles at public kiosks, in addition to vehicle charging stations.
- The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) held a hearing to consider public opinion and media accounts indicate a mix of support and concern.
Dive Insight:
IPL and the city of Indianapolis have partnered with the BlueIndy car-sharing program, which is modeled on a program currently in place in Paris, France. Car kiosks and charging stations are installed in the downtown area and customers can reserve cars online. The program plans to install facilities in high traffic areas and IPL will need to acquire easements and install overhead conductors or underground cables.
The utility has asked regulators to approve a $16 million rate increase to help pay for system improvements related to the program, which they estimate would cost consumers about $0.44 per month. Debate at an August 13 hearing was mixed, but state Rep. Cherrish Pryor raised concerns that many poorer residents would be paying for a program they could not access.
"There are a lot of people who don't have drivers licenses, who will not be able to utilize this program. But they're being asked to pay," Pryor said. She also said the program will require a major credit card, which many lower income ratepayers do not have.