The Town of Essex flies a new flag at Town Hall, May 13, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)The Town of Essex flies a new flag at Town Hall, May 13, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
Windsor

Essex Getting New EV Charging Stations

The Town of Essex is getting nearly $253,000 from the province to install four electric vehicle charging stations.

Two of the stations will be at the Essex Centre Sports Complex while the other two will be at Colchester Harbour.

Ward 1 Councillor Steve Bjorkman thinks the charging stations will attract new tourists to the town.

"It's great that it'll be a destination for those people. They'll know that they can get that far because they can charge up and get home," says Bjorkman. "I think it will increase the number of people that come and see us."

Bjorkman feels the charging stations can be a boon for local tourism.

"It's tremendous. I think it's something we can brag about. It's something we can advertise," says Bjorkman.

Ward 3 Councillor Bill Caixeiro agrees with his council colleague, but also sees an opportunity for the new stations to bring the town a few more dollars.

"I still would like to see us explore the opportunity of maybe charging back a little bit for this. We don't have to be a $10 municipality which is the max. I think a fair amount would be $5," says Caixeiro.

The town hasn't yet decided who will be installing the new charging stations which are expected to be operational by spring 2017.

The new charging stations are rated to charge an electric vehicle to 80% in 30 minutes.

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