New electric vehicle charging stations in North Bay
Four electric vehicle charging stations are available at Community Energy Park outside Memorial Gardens in North Bay.
North Bay Hydro president and CEO Matt Payne said it’s a sign of the time and the changing auto industry.
“I think it’s the direction the country and the province want to go with enabling EV vehicles,” Payne said.
“It’s helping people that come through North Bay and people who live with North Bay charge up their vehicles and that’s what it’s all about.”
He said the region faces some challenges when it comes to electric vehicles, including the climate and the distance between charging stations can be issues.
“Northern Ontario has its unique challenges with EV because of the distance apart of the centres in the north,” Payne said.
“We’ve had 170 unique visitors to the park already, which is about 245 different charges and 6,000 kilowatts hours used. So we’re seeing usage and it’s actually ahead of what we thought it would be.”
Funding for the charging spots came from the federal government.
“This isn’t something we have a choice in, it’s something we have to go towards,” said Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota.
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
“Some people ask why is it taking so long -- well it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s certainly going to be a challenge in northern Ontario but we’re seeing battery changes happening all the time so I’m sure we will be able to overcome the challenges.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.