N.B. Doubles the Size of the Network of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
TRACADIE-SHEILA – The federal and provincial governments announced funding on Monday for nine more electric vehicle charging sites, which doubles the size of the fast-charge eCharge Network and helps the province meet its commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, said the environment minister at the opening of the new station in Tracadie-Sheila.
“The climate change action plan calls for a collaborative approach to creating the strategic infrastructure to support electric vehicles, and we’re proud to be a partner in such a progressive plan to build greener infrastructure and support the low-carbon economy,” said Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle in a release.
There are new chargers at the following locations:
- Saint Quentin
- Eel River Bar
- Bathurst
- Tracadie
- Miramichi
- Doaktown
- Richibucto
Two more will come online in the following months:
- Rothesay
- South Western New Brunswick
The new chargers join existing the network of chargers that were installed since last summer in the following locations:
- Edmundston
- St. André (Grand Falls)
- Perth-Andover
- Beardsley (Woodstock)
- Prince William
- Waasis (Lincoln)
- Youngs Cove
- Salisbury
- Magnetic Hill
- Aulac
The investments include $774, 500 from the province, which includes $577,000 from NB Power and $197,500 from the Regional Development Corporation, as well as $647, 500 from the federal government, which includes $450,000 from Natural Resources Canada and $197,500 from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
The provincial government says the additional stations make the province the first fully connected province with a DC Fast charging network for electric vehicles.
“Today’s announcement is exciting news and shows that by working together we’ve positioned New Brunswick as a leader in supporting electric transportation,” said Rouselle.
The new fast chargers will be accompanied by Level 2 charger at each location.
NB Power says it takes several hours to recharge completely at a standard level-2 charging station. An all-electric vehicle can recharge up to 80 per cent in as little as about 30 minutes at a fast-charging station.
Since this past summer, 10 fast charge sites have been installed in New Brunswick. The new sites announced today almost double the capacity and include many rural communities throughout the province.
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Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said the new charging stations will encourage more people to drive electric vehicles.
“Expanding the network of electric vehicle charging stations, in New Brunswick and across the country, will give Canadians more transportation options and help put more clean vehicles on our roads and highways,” he said.
Gaëtan Thomas, NB Power president and CEO, said owners of electric cars need a province-wide network of charging stations.
“By having a network of fast chargers throughout our province, it will give electric vehicles owners the peace of mind they need when they are travelling from one point to another,” he said. “It will reduce range anxiety.”
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