Full charge ahead: Durham continues electric vehicle charging station expansion

Whitby, Ontario – The Region of Durham is set to ramp up electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure installation with the recent announcement of more than $600,000 in federal funding from the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. This third round of funding from the program will see a total of 85 new EV charging stations added across Durham by the end of 2024. New program partners, the Township of Brock and the Durham Catholic District School Board, will each install two EV charging stations, with returning partner, the Town of Whitby, adding 14. The remaining 67 units will be installed by the Region.

These new EV charging stations are in addition to 102 already built throughout Rounds 1 and 2 of the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program provided by Natural Resources Canada. Continued collaboration and partnerships with organizations across the region is critical to Durham’s EV infrastructure expansion.

Round 3 is Durham’s largest application, in terms of number of chargers and value, to date. The funding received will go towards the infrastructure needed to expand the Region’s corporate fleet to plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles. With Regional Council adopting the Light Duty Fleet Electrification Plan in April 2023, the Region can ramp up the replacement of light duty fleet vehicles with low carbon options.

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

Quotes:

“I’d like to extend an enthusiastic thank you to all our partners across Durham Region. Without them, our largest and most successful application grant to date would not have been possible. I’m thrilled to continue our push to a clean energy economy, which includes the installation and expansion of EV charging stations throughout Durham.”

– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

“The environment and Brock’s place in reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions is of the utmost importance to our Council. Any opportunity to improve our climate for generations to come is welcomed. Brock Township is proud to be a partner in this EV charging program. This federal funding allows a small municipality like Brock to more easily be part of the solution on the issue of climate change.”

– Walter Schummer, Mayor, Township of Brock

“I’m very pleased that this funding will increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations in Durham, including 14 new stations in Whitby. The Town of Whitby is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through our Zero Carbon Whitby plan and through initiatives like the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. This program addresses a key barrier to the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, which is a lack of charging stations.”

– Elizabeth Roy, Mayor, Town of Whitby

“The Durham Catholic District School Board is pleased to partner with our Regional and Municipal partners on enhancing the EV infrastructure in Durham Region. The addition of the EV charging stations at our board office aligns with our Sustainable Action Plan and will inspire and support our students, staff and community members in our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to environmental sustainability initiatives, and help us to be Stewards of the Earth.”

– Tracy Barill, Director of Education, Durham Catholic District School Board

Quick Facts

• Through Durham Regional Council’s declaration of a climate emergency, Durham Region joined the Government of Canada and more than 600 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.

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