3. Best Practices
In addition to requiring the installation of charging stations through the Zoning By-law, actions being taken by municipalities to facilitate the adoption of EVs also include:
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Increasing the number of publicly available charging stations;
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Offering financial assistance to install charging stations;
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Increasing visibility of electric vehicles through adoption in municipal fleet;
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Promoting the benefits and requirements of EVs to residents; and
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Offering parking incentives to owners of EVs.
More information regarding each of the best practices is provided below:
i. Increasing the Number of Publicly Available Charging Stations
As EVs are relatively new and not yet common sites on the road, patterns of charging are not fully understood but is expected that most people will want to charge at home as it is cheaper, reliable, and convenient. However, this can be a challenge for those who rent, do not have parking on their property or live in Multi-use Residential Buildings. Public charging stations can help meet the needs of EV owners who cannot charge at home. Public charging stations also help to build awareness amongst the general public that EVs can be a safe and reliable option for their next vehicle purchase.
While the range of electric vehicles is quite good (several hundred kilometers) and that typical daily commutes are under that range, nonetheless, range anxiety is a significant concern to consumers and represents a barrier to the purchase of electric vehicles. Providing access to public charging infrastructure is key to alleviating this concern. Currently, there are only 1,296 public charging stations for a total of 3,992 charging outlets in Ontario.1
Presently, the City of Windsor only has one City-owned EV charging station. It is located at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre and is free for the public to use. However, through funding made available through the Government of Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), the City has been able to expand the number of charging stations available for public use by twenty-two (22) additional electric vehicle spaces. The City will be installing eleven (11) Level 2 dual connector electric vehicle charging stations for public use at nine (9) different locations throughout the City. In addition, a charging station will be installed in Assumption Park North as part of the Celestial Beacon project which will house the newly-renovated Streetcar No. 351.
The location and number of additional proposed (ZEVIP funded) charging stations are listed below. These sites will also be free to use at first, with the option to charge for use later.
1 Retrieved October 18, 2020 from: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/energy- efficiency-transportation-and-alternative-fuels/electric-charging-alternative-fuelling- stationslocator-map/20487#/analyze?region=CA- ON&country=CA&fuel=ELEC&location=windsor%20on&show_map=true