#GBGoesGreener: New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Coming to Georgian Bluffs

Georgian Bluffs is excited to announce the upcoming installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations at several locations across the Township. These stations will be situated in public spaces including the Shallow Lake Arena, Sarawak Family Park, and the Township Administrative Offices. Additional chargers will be installed at community centres and other public spaces over the coming months.

The first chargers to be installed are high-speed, Level 3 chargers, providing at least 100 kW of charging capacity. These chargers can support up to 80% of a charge in approximately 30 to 40 minutes for many battery electric vehicles. Future installations may include even faster chargers, up to 350 kW, at other locations across the Township.

“We are delighted to see public charging stations being installed across the Township,” said Chief Administrative Officer Niall Lobley. “Electric vehicle use is increasing, and we know many visitors and residents are looking at where and how to charge up when they are moving through and in the Township. Locating these in areas where people are naturally visiting makes sense.”

The installation of these chargers is a priority identified by Georgian Bluffs Council for 2024. This initiative supports the community in making greener choices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The charging stations will be available for all EVs and operated by a nationwide network provider. Users will be required to pay a fee for charging, which can be done via card or smartphone apps.

Construction has begun on the first station at Sarawak Family Park, which should be ready for use in late August. A canopy with solar panels will be added later this year. The electricity generated from these panels will feed back into the grid, supplying an estimated 200+ charges annually using solar energy.

“It is important that we ensure infrastructure exists to help communities explore other options for vehicles. Adding these stations will help Georgian Bluffs prepare for when electric vehicles start to join the Township's fleet over the coming years,” added Niall Lobley.