Bruce County is looking for consulting services to help bring almost 30 electric vehicle (EV) chargers to the region.
The county says it and its regional partners part of the SW Ontario Regional EV Strategy are looking to bring 16 level three fast charger and 13 level two charger locations to the region.
Level two chargers are capable of providing most vehicles with 20 to 40 kilometres of travel distance per hour of charging. Level three chargers, however, are able to charge electric vehicles to 80 per cent in under an hour.
In 2022 the partnership between the counties of Wellington, Dufferin, Perth, Huron, Bruce, Grey, as well as the Cities of Guelph and Stratford, and the Nuclear Innovation Institute created a strategy to bring EV chargers to the area.
The strategy says designing a charging network within the region is particularly important in rural area where distances between communities are large.
By bringing these chargers to the area, it not only assists with driver experience and eliminates any anxiety felt by electric vehicle drivers, it also ensures economic and environmental benefits, by promoting visiting local businesses while vehicles charge.
The strategy identifies seven recommended locations for level three chargers, including in Ferndale, Kincardine, Lion’s Head, Lucknow, Paisley, Southampton or Saugeen Shores, Tobermory, and Wiarton.
Warden Chris Peabody says, “continuing to pursue clean energy opportunities will help our region move towards a more carbon neutral and environmentally sustainable future and will create game-changing opportunities for visitors and residents.”
To date, the county has installed five level two chargers at four locations, the Bruce County Administration Centre in Walkerton, Peninsula Hub in Wiarton, Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton, and the Penetangore Hub in Kincardine.
Consultants can visit the county website here to view the request for proposal.
