Local officials are charged up about government funding for electric vehicle infrastructure across Wellington County.
On April 28, the Ontario government announced $20 million in funding to build nearly 500 electric vehicle charging stations at over 250 locations – including six in Wellington. The county received $215,000 in funding for three “level 3” stations to be built at the Puslinch library, the Arthur library/medical centre and the county’s Social Services Office in Guelph.
“I would like to thank the province for this funding. I know these charging stations will be actively used by residents and visitors to the county,” said Warden George Bridge in a press release.
Wellington North was also part of the Ontario government’s announcement.
Economic development officer Dale Small reported to council on May 2 that the municipality will receive two chargers each at the Arthur Community Centre and the Mount Forest and District Sport Complex.
Wellington North partnered with Arntjen Solar to apply for funding. Of the 36 applications submitted through Arntjen, only six locations were approved, two in Wellington North.
Small said he is hoping the township can move them closer to the downtown cores.
“The application was approved for (the chargers) to be at the community centre in both towns, but we’re going to work through that to see if we can find a location closer to the downtown and we’ll get back to council on that,” Small said.
Councillor Dan Yake said these stations are a “good addition to the community.”
Both Wellington North locations will receive one level 2 charger and one level 3 charger.
The stations are fully funded for installation at $100,000, each but the township will be responsible for ongoing maintenance, which is expected to be less than $1,000 a year.
In an interview with the Advertiser, Small stated the township was not aware the county submitted an application to install a charging station in Arthur – he found out about it after the fact.
“Even though the province has approved the installation of the three chargers in Arthur I’m not sure at the end of the day this makes sense,” he said.
Small added, “It’s important to note that although our funding application has been approved, no contracts have been signed for the installations so we have time to work this through with the county and our council and partners (Arntjen Solar) to do what makes sense.”
Through Arntjen Solar, the town of Minto will also be receiving a charging station.
A level 3 and level 2 charger are slated to be installed at the arena in Clifford.
Rolf Maurer of Arntjen Solar commented to the Advertiser, “it would be great if all of these EV-charging stations could be networked together on the same platform to create this Wellington EVSE infrastructure.”
‘Level 3’ stations can charge a vehicle to 80 per cent in approximately 30 minutes, while ‘level 2’ stations can take two to three hours.
