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Ontario flipped the switch Wednesday on new electric-vehicle (EV) rapid chargers at OnRoute stops on Highway 401 in Napanee and Odessa.
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The new charging stations will help owners of green vehicles recharge their car batteries while travelling.
The OnRoute stop at Quinte West will be open at a later date as 63 other charging stations are opened at all 23 highway fuel-and-food stops owned by the province.
“Ontario is building critical infrastructure in convenient and accessible locations like ONroute stops along our highways,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy and Bay of Quinte MPP.
“Beginning today, drivers can pull into an ONroute station along our province’s busiest highway to grab a coffee or a meal while charging their car, making it easier to explore Ontario or visit family and friends. These new EV fast charging stations will boost EV ownership, support Ontario’s growing EV manufacturing industry and reduce emissions.”
“This is good news for drivers, as they’ll now be able to charge up their vehicle at several ONroute locations across the province, including at either Odessa or Napanee,” said Daryl Kramp, MPP for Hastings—Lennox and Addington. “Increasing choice and convenience for local drivers means that it will be easier for families to charge up for a road trip and make electric vehicle ownership a more realistic choice for families.”
The deployment of rapid charging infrastructure will see ONroute locations along highways 401 and 400 equipped with at least two EV chargers at each site, with busier sites equipped with more. The EV chargers will be available to all drivers on a pay-per-use basis and will serve all vehicle types, the province said in a press release.
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“As more electric vehicles come onto our roads each year, it’s vital that we build the infrastructure to support them, including new highways and charging stations,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation in a statement.
“Drivers of electric vehicles can now take advantage of the Ivy Charging Network at six ONroute locations, with more to follow in the coming months.”
These chargers will further encourage the electrification of the transportation sector in Ontario by making EV charging more accessible, and as the EV population grows more chargers may be added at each site.
The electrification of the province’s vehicles will continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by shifting away from gas-powered vehicles and utilizing Ontario’s clean electricity supply, one that is more than 90% emissions-free.
This initiative builds on the plan to create a domestic EV battery ecosystem in the province and position Ontario as a North American automotive innovation hub, by working to support the continued pivot to electric, low-carbon, connected and autonomous vehicles.
As of Jan. 31, there are 72,655 EVs registered in Ontario.
By 2030, one out of every three automobiles sold will be electric.
The Ivy Charging Network, a joint venture between Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation (OPG), will be responsible for the installation, ownership, and operation of the fast chargers located at the 20 initial ONroute locations.
Ivy’s fast chargers charge 30 cents a minute to charge an electric vehicle. With a fast charger most drivers can get a 150 km range of charge for as little as $7, depending on their vehicle.
First EV fast chargers go live at Odessa, Napanee OnRoute locations - Belleville Intelligencer
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