Electric vehicle charging stations coming to Essex

Four electric vehicle charging stations will be installed in the Town of Essex thanks to a $252,820 grant awarded through the Electric Vehicle Chargers Ontario (EVCO) Program.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation announced Thursday that Essex is one of 27 public and private sector partners that have been selected to help create an expanded network of fast-charging electric vehicle stations across Ontario.

“We are very excited to be a part of this program,” says Doug Sweet, Director of Community Services. “A key objective in Council’s new strategic plan is to promote a healthy, safe and environmentally conscious community. Offering public charging stations in two strategic locations supports this objective and helps us build a clean and sustainable community.”

A total of four charging stations will be installed – two at the Essex Centre Sports Complex and two at Colchester Harbour.

“As part of an expanded network of public charging stations, these are strategic points in Essex County,” says Sweet. “One is at the ‘hub’ or centre of the county and the other is along the north shore of Lake Erie in the heart of wine country.”

The Level 3 charging stations (also known as Direct Current Fast Chargers or DCFC) can charge an electric vehicle to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

On this project, the Town of Essex has partnered with Essex Energy Corporation, which prepared the application and will assist with the installation. Essex Energy Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Essex Power Corporation located in Oldcastle.

The 14 Level 2 charging stations in Essex County can take four to six hours to fully charge an electric vehicle. The only Level 3 charging station is in Comber.

The four Essex charging stations are expected to be installed this summer.