Brampton Unveils First Solar-Powered Car Charging Stations in GTHA

Brampton is piloting quite a few initiatives, and now, the city has unveiled a project that’s the first of its kind across several cities.

Brampton unveiled four new Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations at the Brampton Soccer Centre on Tuesday, July 25, 2017.

Level 2 charging stations can fully charge a vehicle from a zero per cent charge in about four to eight hours.

The city is the first municipality in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) to offer the solar-powered stations as part of the Electric Vehicle Chargers Ontario Program.

“As the first municipality to offer solar-powered charging stations, the City of Brampton is showing its leadership. Now electric vehicle owners can drive with ease, knowing they have charging stations readily available for their daily commute. This is just the beginning as Ontario moves to provide more sustainable infrastructure across the province,” commended Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation.

The program aims to install over 200 Level 3 and almost 300 Level 2 electric vehicle chargers across the province, making it easier and faster for residents with electric vehicles to travel across Ontario.

Level 3 charging stations can charge vehicles in about 20 minutes, according to the province. These are the stations currently being built across the Trans-Canada Highway.

There are currently over 10,000 electric vehicles on Ontario roads, and the province is hoping that more residents will invest in electric vehicles and ultimately fight climate change through the new public network of charging stations.

“We are investing proceeds from Ontario's carbon market to make it easier for people to buy and drive electric vehicles. By building more charging stations we are supporting people in choosing low-carbon transportation and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

In total, the city received $90,000 to complete the Brampton Soccer Centre solar carport.

According to the city, Brampton now has 33 charging stations across 10 locations, with additional units scheduled for installation at Springdale Library and Gore Meadows Community Centre and Library later this year.