By Thomas Goyer
More EV chargers will soon be coming to Muskoka.
Two different companies made presentations to the District of Muskoka Finance and Corporate Services Committee relating to electric vehicle charging stations in the District.
The first presentation was by Peter Ewald representing Lakeland Solutions. This company currently has five sites with 12 chargers and is in the development of a further 12 sites in 2024. Lakeland stated that it wishes to install a combination of level two and level three chargers at various locations within the District. Ewald stated that it aims to own, install, build, and maintain these chargers and charge on a per minute or per kilowatt rate.
Ewald went into detail about the EV chargers that the company would install. The majority of the chargers would be level two chargers which take longer to charge. However, there would also be level three chargers which would provide a charge for a 200-kilometer range in only one hour. Ewald also said that the company had an ultra-fast charger that would provide a charge for a 200-kilometer range in only 10 minutes.
Lakeland is offering special charging rates to municipal vehicle fleets in exchange for support. Lakeland stated that it is not asking for any financial commitment from the District, instead it is seeking location access. Funding for the project will be provided through provincial support.
“Lakeland is here because we want to support the District in this initiative,” Ewald said.
Ewald stated that a key selling point for Lakeland was its connections to the local community. This local network allows quick response and repair times. He also stated that because the company uses local installers all of the money from the project will be staying in the community.
“This is our home, we’re well established already and just want to grow with the district,” Ewald said.
A key part of the context for both presentations was provincial funding for EV chargers. The provincial government is providing funding to encourage the adaptation of electric vehicles specifically through infrastructure and network development. However, the deadline for this funding is January 31, 2024.
The second presentation was made by Ariel Bautista on behalf of Alectra Energy Solutions. The company currently has 54 active chargers that are a mix of level two and level three and is working at deploying about 60 chargers by the summer of 2024.
Bautista stated that the company works with local installers and local electricians. Similar to the Lakeland application, the Alectra proposal requires no financial support from the District and will only ask for location assistance. Bautista estimated that the company would aim to develop a dozen different sites within the district.
Bautista stated that a key asset that Alectra has is its extensive experience in an emerging field. This includes deploying chargers for both fleet usage and public usage.
“Experience matters, real-world experience. We’ve learned some things along the way,” Bautista said.
Councillor Rick Maloney asked about how these chargers can be deployed to residential neighborhoods for private use. Ewald stated that while limited use is possible now utility providers are working on expanding grid capacity to cope with this demand.
Both presentations highlighted how more EV chargers would assist the District in its GHG emissions reductions and climate change goals.
District Chief Administrative Officer Julie Stevens stated that a report will be brought to the council in January to help decide which bid to approve.
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Brian Tapley says
Good for these two companies, especially Lakeland as they are more local.
Also good that they are not asking for district funding directly, just a bit of red tape removal.
What I’m curious about is the extent and rules for Provincial funding for chargers. I looked into this very briefly, thinking of a charger at our resort, but rapidly came to the conclusion that the rules and funding method from the Province were simply not worth the bother for my situation.
I’m wondering how much of our tax dollars (probably some derived from gas and carbon taxes) are being used to subsidize electric chargers. Also, is there a pay back to the Province from these subsidized chargers owners so that, over time, we taxpayers of the Province get our money back with maybe prime rate interest added on?? This would be fair and foster more support I think.
David McQuay says
Here is a suggestion in order to help pay for the chargers;
1) Collect road tax for the electric cars currently they pay no tax to use the roads highway and bridge maintenance costs money they shouldn’t get a free ride as they do now.
2) Collect an excess vechicle weight tax such as some pick up trucks electric vehicles way a fair amount more than dad powered vehicles.
3) Collect a tire tax from electric vechicles a gas powered vehicle pays more tax for heavy duty tires.
These taxes are currently collected for all applicable gas vechicles electric vechicles should not be exempt from these taxes again they shouldn’t get a free ride.
Kathryn Henderson says
I think installing charging stations is a bit premature. Most people cant afford an electric car and a lot if people dont agree with the polution and child labour mines for lithium and where to discard used hugh batteries. I think this should be voted on. The minority is ruling again.