Essex adds eight new EV charging stations with Charged for Change funding

The Town of Essex activated eight publicly accessible Level 2 EV charging stations, split between a municipal parking lot near Heritage Gardens Park in Essex Centre and the Harrow & Colchester Community Centre, funded by Aviva Canada's "Charged for Change" program in partnership with Earth Day Canada. Town staff will monitor usage and report on it over the next three years.

The Town of Essex activated eight publicly accessible Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on January 28, with council members and town staff present for a demonstration. The stations are split between the municipal parking lot adjacent to Heritage Gardens Park on Wilson Avenue in Essex Centre and the Harrow & Colchester Community Centre. The chargers are now active and will require user payment. Town officials noted the installations fit with ongoing plans to electrify parts of the municipal fleet. Key details: - Eight Level 2 (mid-range) chargers were installed and were announced at a demonstration on January 28. - Locations are the municipal parking lot beside Heritage Gardens Park in Essex Centre and the Harrow & Colchester Community Centre. - Funding came from Aviva Canada's "Charged for Change" initiative, delivered in partnership with Earth Day Canada; the grant covered $99,000 with contingency up to $110,000, and the project was installed at no cost to taxpayers. - Chargers require user payment for use. - Town staff will track usage and report on results over the next three years, and the municipality plans to add a hybrid vehicle for the By-Law Department as part of its fleet strategy. Summary: Officials said the charging stations contribute to the town's longer-term sustainability and infrastructure planning. Town staff will monitor how often the chargers are used and provide usage reports over the next three years, and municipal plans include further steps to electrify parts of the fleet.