Applications are now open for financing for the installation of electric vehicles in Windsor-Essex

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Applications are now open for a new project that will help build up to 300 new electric vehicle charging stations in Windsor and Essex County.

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Essex Powerlines Corp. will receive $2 million to install up to 300 new electric vehicle charging stations in Windsor and Essex County between now and September 2023, following an announcement by MP Irek Kusmierczyk (L – Windsor-Tecumseh) and the Essex County Warden. Gary McNamara on Thursday morning.

“With this investment we are changing the landscape of Windsor Essex,” Kusmierczyk said. “You will see charging stations located in the places where we live, work and play, in parks, libraries, apartments, stores, restaurants and offices.”

The program launched by Essex Powerlines, known as Charge Up, aims to add electric vehicle charging stations in public settings, from retail businesses to workplaces to multi-unit residential buildings. Charge Up will finance up to 50 percent of the costs.

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Funding requests were initially opened in December. Essex Powerlines general manager Joe Barile said interest has been good so far and they anticipate a lot of interest following Thursday’s announcement.

One of the goals of the program is to make electric vehicle charging available in different settings and across sectors, Barile said.

“This program is designed to make EV infrastructure more affordable and readily available,” he said.

Kusmierczyk said the city of Windsor has received similar funding for 22 electric vehicle charging stations that are in the process of being installed.

“You’re seeing communities across Canada making very similar announcements in terms of building charging infrastructure,” Kusmierczyk said. “The goal is to make sure that you have not only the infrastructure in the communities, but also the infrastructure between the communities.”

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Charge Up, funded by the federal Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure program, will run until all the money has been distributed, through the end date of September 2023.

“We are very thankful for our region,” McNamara said. “Go back 110 years ago, when vehicles were that new carriage, without horses: infrastructure had to be put in place so that people would have confidence… to go from point A to point B.

“That is exactly where we are right now, giving our citizens the confidence that when they purchase these vehicles they will not be stranded.”

Find information on essexpowerlines.ca .

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