Ontario is building nearly 500 electric vehicle charging stations at over 250 locations across the province, and one of the stations is coming to Wallaceburg.
In order to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight climate change, the province is working with 24 public- and private-sector partners to create a network of public charging electric vehicle stations in cities, along highways, at workplaces and at various public places across Ontario.
This includes over 200 Level 3 and nearly 300 Level 2 charging stations.
The entire network will be in service by March 31, 2017.
The Wallaceburg station is set to be hosted by Tim Horton’s at 848 Dufferin Ave and the partner with the province is KSI.
Wallaceburg’s location will be a Level 3 charging station – also known as Direct Current Fast Chargers or DCFC.
These stations use a 480 volt system and can charge a vehicle to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes.
The Level 3 stations allow EV drivers to charge their vehicles about eight times faster than Level 2 charging stations, and permit them to travel further than ever before.
There are two other stations being set-up in Chatham-Kent, both in Chatham: McDonald’s at 710 Richmond St. and Tim Horton’s at 33 3rd St. Both are Level 3 stations.
‘Green’ investment by Ontario
The province’s $20-million investment under Ontario’s Green Investment Fund will expand charging infrastructure across the province and will help address “range anxiety,” a common concern of consumers regarding the distance electric vehicles can travel compared to traditional vehicles.
Building a more robust network of public chargers across Ontario allows electric vehicle owners to plan longer trips knowing that charging stations are as readily available as gas stations.
With the new network of stations, electric vehicle drivers will be able to travel confidently from Windsor to Ottawa or from Toronto to North Bay and within and around major urban centres.
“By investing in charging infrastructure that is fast, reliable and affordable, we are encouraging more Ontarians to purchase electric vehicles, reducing greenhouse gas pollution and keeping our air clean,” stated Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation.
“Transportation is one of the single biggest contributors to climate change,” stated Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
“Supporting more charging stations across the province will help to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by making it more convenient for drivers of electric vehicles to get around.”
Investing in climate action is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs.
The province says their $325-million Green Investment Fund, an initial investment in Ontario’s new five-year Climate Change Action Plan, is already strengthening the economy, creating good jobs and driving innovation while fighting climate change — a strong signal of what Ontarians can expect from the plan and proceeds from the province’s cap and trade program.
More facts from the Province of Ontario
– An interactive map of the EVCO network of stations will be easily accessible on Ontario 511. Station location data will also be posted on Ontario’s Open Data Catalogue to allow software developers and other interested parties to use the data in their mobile application or digital product development.
– Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan is providing people and businesses with tools and incentives to accelerate the use of clean technology that exists today.
– A shift to low- and zero-emission vehicles is vital to the fight against climate change and achieving Ontario’s greenhouse gas pollution reduction target of 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
– Green Investment Fund projects include: more electric vehicle charging stations; energy retrofits for single-family homes and affordable housing; support for Indigenous communities, industry and small and medium-sized businesses, and helping local organizations fight climate change.
– Greenhouse gases from cars account for more emissions than those from industries such as iron, steel, cement, and chemicals combined.
– There are nearly 7,000 electric vehicles currently on the road in Ontario.
– Over 200 applications to the Electric Vehicle Charger Ontario program were received between Dec. 21, 2015 and Feb. 12, 2016, totalling more than $165 million in grant requests.
