March 28, 2024
Global Renewable News

NEW BRUNSWICK
NB Power launches public charging network for electric vehicles

July 11, 2017

NB Power announced the eCharge Network, the province's first electric vehicle charging network aimed at giving drivers worry-free travel everywhere in the province.

The network includes 15 locations along the province's busiest highways where both fast-chargers and level-2 chargers will be available. In addition, nine level-2 chargers are already located at participating municipalities and businesses throughout the province. The new locations will be installed by the end of 2017.

NB Power is working with public and private partners to add to the network to enable electric vehicle owners to drive with confidence and to encourage others to make the switch from gas to electric vehicles.

"We are incredibly proud to offer our customers and visitors to New Brunswick convenient charging with the launch of our eCharge Network," said Gaëtan Thomas, president and CEO of NB Power. "Our goal is to make it easy for owners of electric vehicles to drive wherever they choose in New Brunswick, and to encourage more drivers to consider an electric vehicle for their next purchase."

An electric vehicle owner in New Brunswick can shrink their vehicle carbon footprint by about 80 per cent while reducing their fuel-related costs by about 75 per cent, according to NB Power.

In addition to the network of standard charging stations, the eCharge network will also include 400 volt fast-charging stations along the Trans-Canada Highway and in the northern parts of New Brunswick. The first of their kind in New Brunswick, these 15 fast-charging stations will enable all-electric vehicles to recharge in as little as 20 to 30 minutes. Fast-charge sites will include standard level-2 stations for both battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

NB Power will install fast-charge and level-2 sites at five locations throughout northern New Brunswick, which will be cost-shared with government. Locations include the areas of Saint-Quentin/Kedgwick, Campbellton, Bathurst, Tracadie, and Miramichi.

"Our government understands that embracing the green economy and reducing our carbon footprint is a priority for New Brunswickers," said Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle. "Our climate change action plan calls for a collaborative approach to creating the strategic infrastructure to support electric vehicles throughout all regions in the province, and we are pleased to see this important step underway. New Brunswickers will now have the necessary network to adopt new methods of transportation and contribute to our provincial plan to increase the number of electric vehicles on the road and will help meet emission reduction targets as we work to combat climate change."

An investment of $500,000 from Natural Resources Canada will go towards purchasing and installing the charging stations for the 10 fast-charging stations along the Trans-Canada Highway.

"The eCharge Network will make it easier for Canadians to choose cleaner options and helps put New Brunswick's transportation system on a path to a lower-carbon future," said Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor. "The Government of Canada continues to support green infrastructure in the transportation sector that will advance Canada's efforts to build a clean economy, create well-paying jobs, and achieve our climate change goals."

Petitpas Taylor attended for federal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr.

Fast chargers are being installed at the following locations along the Trans-Canada Highway:

  • Edmundston Truck Stop
  • Irving Big Stop, Saint-André
  • Johnson Guardian, Perth-Andover
  • Murray's Irving, Woodstock
  • Petro-Canada / Acorn Restaurant, Prince William
  • Irving Big Stop, Waasis
  • Youngs Cove Irving
  • Irving Big Stop, Salisbury
  • Magnetic Hill Irving, Moncton
  • Irving Big Stop, Aulac

The eCharge Network will be interoperable with networks across Canada, including the FLO and Electric Circuit networks. New Brunswickers can sign up to become members of the eCharge Network, load credits to their account and find charging station locations by visiting www.eChargeNetwork.com.

About the eCharge Network:

The eCharge Network is NB Power's public charging program for electric vehicles. The eCharge Network is made up of standard level-2 (240 volt) charging station located throughout the province and a corridor of 15 fast-charging stations (400 volt) along the TransCanada Highway from Edmundston to Aulac and throughout the northern part of the province. The network aims to enable drivers of electric vehicles to travel around New Brunswick.

Quick facts:

  • There are currently nine eCharge Network stations available for use in the following municipalities: Fredericton, Quispamsis, Moncton, Shediac, Grand Bay-Westfield.
  • It takes several hours to recharge completely at a standard level-2 charging station.
  • Both plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles can charge at a 120-volt outlet or standard level-2 charging stations (240 volt).
  • An all-electric vehicle can recharge up to 80 per cent in as little as about 30 minutes at a fast charging ("level 3" / 400 volt) station.

For more information

Government of New Brunswick

www.gnb.ca


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