The City of St. John’s is applying to Newfoundland Power to be an electric vehicle (EV) charging station host at two of the city’s public parks.
The city is applying to have four stations installed — two in the Bannerman Park parking lot and two in the Bowring Park parking lot.
It’s part of a broader effort by Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to install stations across the province.
Newfoundland Power is requesting applications from prospective charging station hosts, and any successful applicant will have to sign a 10-year land lease agreement with Newfoundland Power.
Newfoundland Power would cover the cost of the equipment, installation, maintenance, repairs and electricity.
If approved by Newfoundland Power, the two locations would have charging stations installed sometime between spring and fall of next year.
Each station would have both a direct current fast charger, also known as a Level 3 charger, and a Level 2 charger.
“We have been undergoing efforts to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in the community, and corporately this is one of the actions that we can take in providing space for putting (in) electric vehicle charging stations,” Coun. Ian Froude, lead for public works and sustainability, said during Wednesday’s committee of the whole meeting when the information was provided to councillors.
According to the city’s energy and greenhouse gas inventory completed in 2018, 59 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in St. John’s come from transportation.
The information note prepared by city staff says installing these stations will make owning an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle a more viable option for people in the city, and will help ensure EV drivers can travel across the province.
Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary called it “a great direction” that “will encourage us all to get on board” with EVs.
Juanita Mercer reports on municipal politics in St. John’s.
