Drivers of electric vehicles (EV) in the region will soon have an easier time finding spots to charge up.
The provincial government has announced plans to build 12 new EV charging stations in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. They will be located in Allenford, Durham, Lion’s Head, Owen Sound, Paisley, Sauble Beach, and Wiarton.
“For EV drivers finding a charging station that’s close by and available can mean the difference between a quick stop and a time-consuming detour that takes time away from work, school or family,” Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers said in a statement.
According to the province, each new EV charging site will include Level 2 charging stations, Level 3 charging stations, or a combination of the two.
The dozen new stations are part of a bigger plan to increase access to chargers outside of large urban centres in the province. The Ontario government unveiled plans on Monday to build more than 1,300 new charging stations at a cost of $63 million through the EV ChargeON Program Community Sites Stream.
The provincial government has noted that as of October 2024, there were more than 201,000 registered EVs in Ontario. That includes both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Provincial figures indicate the number will jump to more than a million EVs by 2030.
“Improving EV charging infrastructure is essential to ensuring drivers are confident in electric vehicles,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “By focusing on smaller and medium-sized communities, we’re filling gaps in underserved areas to build a more connected charging network for everyone in Ontario.”
In an effort to further support drivers who buy electric, the province has also launched an ultra-low overnight electricity price plan, which could save those who use more electricity at night up to $90 a year.