On July 10, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources joined the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Jennifer Williams, President of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to announce funding for the province's first electric vehicle fast-charging network. Through Budget 2019, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador provided $1 million and the Government of Canada announced $770,000 that will purchase and install 28 electric vehicle chargers across the province to support the transition to a clean energy future.
Currently, there is limited charging station infrastructure available for public use in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly outside the St. John's area, to enable electric vehicles to travel long distances. This funding will help Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to build a fast-charging electric vehicle network along the Trans-Canada Highway, connecting St. John's to Port aux Basques, including one location in Gros Morne National Park. Fourteen sites will contain both a fast charger and a Level 2 charger. Construction of the first site is scheduled to start in September.
Investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure will facilitate increased demand for electric vehicles in the province, contributing to electrification efforts. Additionally, it will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, provide rate mitigation benefits, and provide operational savings for electric vehicle owners.
These investments build on commitments from both the federal and provincial governments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This initiative also builds on the commitment from The Way Forward on Climate Change to develop a comprehensive long-term strategy to increase electric vehicle penetration in consultation with the electric utilities, municipalities and industry.
Visit Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's Electric Vehicle Charging Network webpage for more information.
Quotes
"Electrification of Newfoundland and Labrador's economy is a key energy priority given that 98 per cent of the province's electricity will come from renewable energy by 2021. The development of the province`s first electric vehicle fast-charging network will enable electric vehicle owners to travel long distances and will remove one of the largest barriers to domestic electric vehicle ownership."
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Minister of Natural Resources
"One of our commitments in the Climate Change Action Plan is to develop a long-term strategy to increase use of electric vehicles in our province to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With this fast-charging electric vehicle network, electric vehicle owners can now have increased confidence that when exploring our province or traveling across the Trans Canada Highway, they will have access to charging stations."
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
"Zero emissions vehicles are part of Canada's net-zero future. Our government is working to give people in our Province greener options to get where they need to go."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources
"Hydro is focused on meeting customer needs today, while also planning ahead for future electricity needs in Newfoundland and Labrador. As the electric vehicle market continues to expand, we have listened to customers and we're excited to advance this initiative now, supporting a greener future for our province, and providing clean, renewable, road-trip-ready energy for years to come."
Jennifer Williams
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
Learn more
The Way Forward on Climate Change in Newfoundland and Labrador
For more information
Prince Phillip Drive
St. John's Newfoundland
Canada A1B 4J6
www.gov.nl.ca
