Electric vehicle charging infrastructure expands across the region

Whitby, Ontario – Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are becoming more commonplace throughout Durham Region. Today’s announcement of $2.4 million in federal funding from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) will enable the installation of 259 new EV charging stations across Durham Region. The funding, valued at $605,000 for Round 3 and $1.8 million for Round 4 of the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), provides up to 50 per cent funding for EV chargers. The Region of Durham collaborated with seven partner organizations in ZEVIP Round 3 and 4, including the Township of Brock, Municipality of Clarington, Town of Whitby, Durham Catholic District School Board, Trent University – Durham GTA, the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority and the City of Oshawa. New EV charging stations will help enable these partners to transition their fleet to EVs. With several of these EV chargers also being available to the public, charging will be more available for residents at facilities across the region.

ZEVIP Rounds 3 and 4 make up Durham’s largest applications to date in terms of number of chargers, the overall value, and number of collaborative partners. These new EV chargers will help provide the infrastructure needed to expand the Region’s corporate fleet to plug-in hybrid and full EVs. With Regional Council adopting the Light Duty Fleet Electrification Plan in April 2023, the Region can ramp up the replacement of light duty fleet with low carbon options.

Reports and updates on Durham Region’s climate action initiatives are available at durham.ca/ClimateChange.

Quotes:

“Building on our history as a home of automotive energy-sector innovation, we see electric vehicles as a key part of our strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and realize the economic benefits of the clean energy transition. We are grateful for the diverse group of funding partners in Round 3 and 4 of the ZEVIP application. Together we will steer our community to achieve our climate goals and create a greener Durham!” 
– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

“The Town of Whitby is strongly committed to sustainability and climate action, including making it easier for drivers in our community to choose electric vehicles. The Natural Resources Canada Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program addresses a key barrier to the adoption of zero-emission vehicles – the lack of charging and refueling stations. I am very pleased that this funding will support additional charging stations in Whitby, including 40 at the new Whitby Sports Complex.”
– Elizabeth Roy, Mayor, Town of Whitby

“This is a key step toward creating a greener community. Clarington is committed to reducing carbon emissions and responding to the challenges of climate change as part of our Corporate Climate Action Plan. We are grateful for the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which is helping us increase the availability of local charging stations. It’s about supporting Clarington’s transition to an electric fleet while also assisting residents who choose to make the switch to electric vehicles.”
– Adrian Foster, Mayor, Municipality of Clarington

“The Durham Catholic District School Board is pleased to continue our collaboration with the Region of Durham and municipal partners to enhance electric vehicle infrastructure across Durham Region. The funds received through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) incentive have helped support our board in installing our first EV charging station, which will contribute to our sustainability efforts. We look forward to the next round of the ZEVIP incentive, where we will install an EV charging station at our new Catholic elementary school in the Seaton area of Pickering.” 
– Tracy Barill, Director of Education, Durham Catholic District School Board

Quick Facts

• The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds a network of zero-emission vehicle charging and refueling stations in more localized areas where Canadians live, work and play. Support is also available for strategic projects for electric vehicle and/or hydrogen infrastructure for corporate fleets, last-mile delivery fleets, and mass transit.
• Through Durham Regional Council’s declaration of a climate emergency, Durham Region joins the Government of Canada and more than 400 Canadian municipalities. Most of these organizations are implementing programs to help reduce their contribution to global carbon emissions. Since declaring a climate emergency on January 29, 2020, Durham Region has taken important steps to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient community.
• The Durham Community Energy Plan identifies programs that will allow Durham to reach its long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction target while taking advantage of the economic opportunities associated with the clean energy transition.
• This investment will support the installation of an additional 42 electric vehicle chargers across 14 municipally-owned and publicly-accessible sites in Clarington, Scugog, Oshawa and Whitby – building on the existing EV charging infrastructure available at Regional headquarters, along with various privately owned and operated EV chargers.

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For media requests, please contact CorporateCommunications@durham.ca.