Electric vehicle chargers to be installed at most ONroute rest stops by summer
The Province of Ontario is teaming up with the Ivy Charging Network, ONroute and Canadian Tire to bring electric vehicle charging stations to all of its highway stops.
Many of the province's 70,000 electric vehicle owners are excited about the move.
Mike O'Neil was charging his car in Barrie Wednesday afternoon and said the news was fantastic.
"That's exactly what I like to see for sure. Everything about it is so convenient, and just adding more charging stations will make it even easier for everyone," O'Neil said.
Energy Minister Todd Smith and Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney made the announcement at the ONroute in King Township while showing off the new system.
"One of the most common concerns we hear from drivers that are looking to make the switch to electric vehicles is where will they be able to charge up during a long road trip?" Mulroney mentioned.
Eventually, there will be 23 charging stations built along the two main highways.
The province estimates one million electric vehicles will travel on Ontario roads by the end of the decade.
Karen Murray is on her second electric vehicle and said it's "fairly easy" to find a charging station. "But you learn to plan your routes and when you're going to stop and how you're going to charge. It's kind of a learning process," Murray said.
The Ivy Charging Network said customers would need to download an app for payment and availability. It added it would take about 30 minutes to charge up to 150 kilometres of charge.
"It's 30-cents a minute for charging, and so you know for an approximate session of 30 minutes of length, it's going to be about nine dollars," explained Matt Vines, co-president of the Ivy Charging Network.
Seventeen of the 20 new charging stations are expected to be operational by summer, with the remaining by the end of next year.
Each ONroute will have at least two charging stations when they are installed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.