Canadian Legislative Updates

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installed in Prince Edward Island

Sun Country Highway, an energy company from Western Canada, is installing at least ten charging stations across Prince Edward Island. Kent Rathwell, company president, highlighted that the province is progressing towards becoming the first one hundred percent electric-vehicle-friendly province in Canada.

Although PEI has higher electricity rates than other provinces, an electric car is about ninety percent cheaper to run than a conventional gas vehicle. Depending on the type of vehicle, a full charge can take about three hours.

Mayor Richard Collins said the initiative is a good investment and will bring in more tourists. The charging stations will be located at key tourist spots and hotels across the province.

Thus far, Sun Country Highway has installed approximately one hundred of the charging stations across the country. The company plans to import electric vehicles to Canada, including transit buses and passenger vans.

Investment Allows for Introduction of 454 New Charging Stations across British Columbia

As a key component of the $2.7 million Community Charging Infrastructure (CCI) Fund announced this past spring by Environment Minister Terry Lake, 71 organizations have been approved through an Early Bird Application process for charging station incentives. The groups will receive 75 percent of the cost through the CCI Fund, up to $4,000 per station, to purchase and install 286 level II charging stations.

In addition to these incentives, twelve local municipal and regional governments will receive $184,416 in funding to plan and identify key locations for 168 additional stations. These communities will collaborate with local businesses in their areas to seek out priority areas for site charging stations for public use. Approved stations will provide public access for electric vehicle owners to charge vehicles in areas such as municipal halls, shopping centers and hotels, among others.

The purpose of the CCI Fund is to support a network of up to 570 charging stations across the province. All stations must be installed by March 31, 2013.

A brief snapshot of key recipients includes:

City of Surrey (fourteen stations)
City of Richmond (ten stations)
City of Victoria (ten stations)
Metro Vancouver (eight stations)
The Resort Municipality of Whistler (six stations)