Durham is expanding availability of electric vehicle charging stations

Whitby, Ontario – With the transportation sector representing the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs in Durham Region, shifting to electric vehicles (EVs) is critical to respond to the climate emergency. Switching to EVs helps realize the economic benefits of the low carbon transition by using made-in-Durham clean energy sources. Expanding the availability of EV charging stations is a key strategy to support this shift.

Durham Region in collaboration with the Municipality of Clarington, Township of Scugog, Town of Whitby and Trent University Durham GTA, is proud to announce more than $200,000 in funding from the Government of Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. This funding will support the installation of 42 Level 2 EV charging stations at municipally-owned and publicly accessible sites, including fire halls, operations centres, town halls, a water pollution control plant, a works maintenance depot, an animal control centre, library, youth centre, marina, recreation arena and a Trent University Durham GTA student residence.

Building on this momentum, the Region is pleased to announce a partnership with The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) to promote more EV charging in Durham. TAF’s EV Station Fund is offering rebates of up to 50 per cent to install EV charging stations. Rebates and technical assistance are available to municipalities, utilities, parking authorities, public institutions, non-profit organizations, and multi-family residential buildings. The EV charging stations complement several Regional initiatives in place to support climate action in the transportation sector, including:

• Durham Region Transit’s electric bus project
• Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
• Federal and provincial funding that will modernize and improve public transit and active transportation.

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

Quotes:

“We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more accessible where Canadians live, work and play. Investing in more EV chargers, like the ones announced today in Durham, will put more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals.”

– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources

“As we continue the Region’s push to a clean energy economy, the importance of this additional federal funding and the accompanying infrastructure improvements cannot be overstated. We’re very grateful for our local partners and the Ministry of Natural Resources for their hard work and tireless dedication to battling climate change.”

– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

“With a third of Durham Region’s carbon emissions coming from transportation – combustion of gasoline and diesel -- we need to electrify how we drive. Reliable and convenient EV charging is key to accelerating quick EV uptake, which is gaining even more traction given fossil fuel prices. TAF looks forward to collaborating with Durham Region on this important climate action.”

– Julia Langer, CEO, The Atmospheric Fund

Quick Facts:

• The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds a network of zero-emission vehicle charging and refuelling stations in more localized areas where Canadians live, work and play. Support is also available for strategic projects for electric vehicle and/or hydrogen infrastructure for corporate fleets, last-mile delivery fleets, and mass transit.
• Through Durham Regional Council’s declaration of a climate emergency,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. Since declaring a climate emergency on January 29, 2020, Durham Region has taken important steps to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient community.
• The Durham Community Energy Plan identifies programs that 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.
• This investment will support the installation of an additional 42 electric vehicle chargers across 14 municipally-owned and publicly-accessible sites in Clarington, Scugog, Oshawa and Whitby - building on the existing EV charging infrastructure available at Regional headquarters, along with various privately owned and operated EV chargers.
• Find out more and how to apply for TAF’s EV Station Fund.

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For media requests, please contact CorporateCommunications@durham.ca.