New electric vehicle chargers coming to Durham

Durham Region is collaborating with local area municipalities and utilities to create a community-wide network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, to accelerate our transition to a clean energy economy. This initiative is made possible through a more than $296,000 investment from the Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

The investment will support the installation of 60 electric vehicle connectors across 21 municipally-owned and publicly-accessible sites. By making more EV infrastructure available, the initiative will encourage more people to use EVs and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles are a key action needed to meet Durham Region’s climate change commitments.

The initiative is a joint effort of the Region of Durham and several partnering local area municipalities, including Ajax, Clarington, Oshawa (in collaboration with Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation) and Whitby.

The project complements several Regional initiatives in place to support climate action, they are: Durham Region Transit’s electric bus project; the New Federal and Provincial funding for 11 projects, which will modernize and improve public transit and active transportation; subsidized tree planting programs; the investment plan for the $5 million Climate Mitigation and Environmental Initiatives Reserve Fund; and the start-up funding for the Durham Home Energy Savings Plan Program.

Reports and updates on Durham Region’s climate action initiatives are available at durham.ca/ClimateChange.

“These 60 new EV charging connectors show Durham Region’s commitment to leading the way in the technologies and jobs of the future. Greener options stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities in our community. Durham Region has taken important steps to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient community. We’re working with our public and private sector partners to make it more convenient to switch to electric vehicles and reduce carbon emissions.” said John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer.

The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds a network of zero-emission vehicle charging stations (level 2 and higher) and hydrogen stations, all in more localized areas where Canadians live, work and play. Support is also available for strategic projects planned for electric vehicle and/or hydrogen infrastructure, regarding corporate fleets, last-mile delivery fleets, and mass transit.

NRCan’s Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative supports the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of: fast-charging stations, along the national highway systems; natural gas refuelling stations, along key freight corridors; and hydrogen stations, in major metropolitan areas.

Through the emergency declaration, brought forward through the Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change, Durham Region joins the Government of Canada and more than 400 Canadian municipalities who have declared climate emergencies. Most of these organizations are implementing programs to help reduce their contribution to global carbon emissions.

The Durham Community Energy Plan identifies programs which will allow Durham to reach its long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, while making Durham an even better place to live, work and play.

Since declaring a climate emergency on January 29th, Durham Region has taken important steps to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient community. The investment will support the installation of 61 electric vehicle chargers across 21 municipally-owned and publicly-accessible sites.

The 60 new EV charging connectors will stretch across 21 municipally-owned and publicly-accessible sites: one in Brock, one in Clarington, three in Ajax, seven in Oshawa, and nine in Whitby.

This will build on the existing EV charging infrastructure available at Regional headquarters, along with various privately owned and operated EV chargers.

A minimal fee for using the chargers will help to recoup the capital investment made by the Region and municipalities and cover the ongoing energy, maintenance and operating expenses.

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