The Town of Erin is applying for funding to get a high speed
charging station for electric vehicles at Centre 2000.
Wellington County already has plans to install a charging station at
the new Hillsburgh Library, which is expected to open this spring.
Erin town council is hoping for 50 per cent funding from the federal
government, and that the Upper Grand District School Board will cover half of
the remaining cost, since the station would be a benefit to Erin District High
School.
The fast charging (Level 3) stations cost
about $85,000 each. If the federal and school board funding comes through, the
town would pay the balance up to $25,000 out of the 2017 Nestlé voluntary levy.
The water bottling company makes payments to the town based on the volume of
water pumped at its Hillsburgh well.
Natural Resources
Canada has a funding program designed to create a Canadian network of Level 3
stations. These can charge two electric vehicles (EVs) to 80 per cent of
battery capacity in about 30 minutes, with a travel range of about 250 km per
hour of charging.
These are expected to be common in public
places and along major highways. Users would pay about 28 cents per Kw or $12
per hour pro-rated by the minute, with a $2.50 flat fee per session.
The
non-profit group Plug’n Drive says less expensive Level 2 stations are expected
to be installed by many employers and commercial building owners, taking four
to six hours for an 80 per cent charge, with a range of about 30 km per hour of
charging.
EVs can
also be charged at Level 1 through a regular wall socket, providing only about
8 km of travel range per hour of charging.