New electric vehicle chargers coming to Durham

Whitby, Ontario – 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: 

• Durham Region Transit’s electric bus project
• New Federal and Provincial funding for 11 projects that 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
• 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.

Quotes:

“We are providing greener options for Canadians to get where they need to go. This is how we get to net zero by 2050.”

-The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources

“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.”

– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

“The Town of Ajax (TOA) is proud to be an ongoing leader in environmental stewardship. On behalf of Ajax Council, I want to thank the Government of Canada for their generous support of this EV charging station partnership. Residents and businesses looking to make the switch to hybrid or fully electric vehicles will benefit from a significantly expanded network of chargers they can rely on across the Durham Region. The new EV charging stations provided by this program are a welcome addition to current TOA EV charger offerings, which are available to residents and visitors at our community centres. We are proud to play a role in the transition to cleaner energy sources for the future.”
– Mayor Shaun Collier, Town of Ajax

“On behalf of the Municipality of Clarington, I would like to thank Natural Resources Canada for providing funding for this pan-regional project. I also want to thank the Region of Durham for spearheading this initiative. By working together, we are minimizing our collective carbon footprint and mitigating the impacts of climate change. We know that electric vehicles are the way of the future.  More and more Clarington families are opting for this solution to reduce their overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.”
– Mayor Adrian Foster, Township of Clarington

“I am excited for the positive environmental and economic impacts this initiative will bring throughout the community. The investment from the Government of Canada and Region of Durham will facilitate electric vehicle charging stations in key areas of the city, including City Hall and Lakeview Park. This initiative is aligned with Environmental Responsibility Goal in the Oshawa Strategic Plan and is an important step in providing more options for community members to charge their electric vehicle.” 

– Mayor Dan Carter, City of Oshawa

“I want to thank the federal government, and MP Turnbull, for their support of Zero Emission Vehicles. This program will deliver convenient charging stations across our Town and Region and support the needed transition to all electric vehicles. Zero emission vehicles are an essential part of any strategy to reduce GHGs and combat global warming.”

– Mayor Don Mitchell, Town of Whitby

Quick Facts

• The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds a network of zero-emission vehicle charging (level 2 and higher) and hydrogen 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.
• 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 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.
• Since declaring a climate emergency on January 29, 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 - building 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.

– 30 –

For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.