A new network of electric car quick chargers is being installed in Ontario and Manitoba. The new network will cover about 3,000 km of the Trans-Canada Highway between the two provinces, helping complete the cross-country charging grid. The announcement comes from the companies who will be operating the charging stations.
The new chargers will come as the result of a $17.3 million investment, part of which is an $8 million repayable contribution from Natural Resources Canada.
Jim Carr, federal Minister of Natural Resources said "Canada recognises the key role electric vehicles will play in reducing emissions from the transportation sector." He added that "this strategic investment brings us closer to having a national coast-to-coast network of electric vehicle charging stations."
The chargers will be installed and operated by eCamion, a Toronto-based company that builds energy storage solutions and charging stations, and Leclanché, a multinational that has been providing battery energy storage for more than 100 years. They have created a joint venture called FAST Charge that will manage the project.
The new chargers will be Level 3 or higher, which provides battery electric vehicles a quick full charge in as little as 20 minutes. They will use battery storage to charge themselves overnight taking advantage of off-peak power rates.
The network will see 34 chargers, installed approximately 100 km apart, along the TCH in Manitoba and Ontario. The exact sites haven't yet been announced. Installation is expected to start in 2018 and be completed by the end of that year.
