Brockton's new Electric Vehicle Charging Station got a boost during the official opening.
Representatives from Bruce Power, Plug'n Drive, and the municipality gathered at the site yesterday in downtown Walkerton, in hopes of educating people about the emerging technology.
People got a chance to test drive various electric Vehicles loaned by Leslie Ford and Plug'n Drive.
The new charging station is located at the municipal parking lot at 205 Catharine St.
It is one of eight sites Bruce Power, Plug’n Drive, municipalities, educational institutions and businesses are collaborating to install across the region this fall. Stations have also been unveiled in Kincardine, Port Elgin, Southampton and Wroxeter.
“Although Electric Vehicles are becoming much more common as the technology and infrastructure improves, we realized most people haven’t had the opportunity to actually drive one,” Mayor David Inglis says. “Thanks to the Grey Bruce Sustainability Network and Brockton’s Economic Development and Environmental Advisory Committees, we were able to give community members the chance to sit behind the wheel of the cars of the future.”
Francis Chua, Bruce Power’s department manager, environment and sustainability,says educational events such as Brockton’s will be the key to EVs gaining acceptance with the drivers of Ontario.
“Every year, EVs become a much more affordable and viable mode of transportation for people, even in rural areas such as ours,” Chua says. “As Ontario electrifies its transportation sector, there will be an increase in demand for clean energy, which will be supplied by Bruce Power.”
