Stone Road Mall Unveils Electric Car Charging Station

Web posted on December 11, 2012

(GUELPH, ON) December 10, 2012 - Guelph Hydro Inc., in partnership with Stone Road Mall, managed by Primaris, has installed a charging station for electric vehicles as a pilot program in the parking lot at Stone Road Mall in Guelph.

"Recognizing that transportation accounts for almost one third of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, our goal in installing this charging station is to encourage the use of electric vehicles. Stone Road Mall is a perfect location for a charging station because drivers can shop while their vehicle is charging." Says Barry Chuddy, CEO, Guelph Hydro Inc.

The charging station and its operation will be demonstrated on Wednesday, December 12, at 1:45 p.m. at Stone Road Mall by plugging in and charging the following electric vehicles: Ford Transit Connect electric service van belonging to Guelph Hydro Chevrolet Volt provided by Barry Cullen Chevrolet Cadillac Ltd. of Guelph Nissan Leaf owned by a Guelph Hydro customer Via Motors VTrux extended range electric (eREV) pickup provided by Sun Country Highway, the Canadian distributor for VTrux. The VTrux brand is a line of electrified full-size utility vehicles that get up 100 mpg (2.3 lt/100 kms) and have been billed as an "automotive industry game-changer" by automotive guru and late night TV host Jay Leno.

"Owners of the Chevrolet Volt are sure to enjoy the convenience of being able to plug in and charge their vehicle for free while shopping at Stone Road Mall. The Chevrolet Volt has been exceeding customer's expectations, not just on the basis of its revolutionary technology but in real world applications. One customer is reporting a savings of $4,000 per year in fuel. He has driven over 21,000 kilometres while spending approximately $250 on gas." Mark Cullen, General Manager, Barry Cullen Chevrolet Cadillac Ltd.

The Level Two - 240-volt charging station, supplied by Sun Country Highway, has one 240-volt connection and two 120-volt connections. The charging station serves two parking spots and is located in Stone Road Mall's south parking lot between Sears and Old Navy, adjacent to Stone Road. The charging station is available for use free of charge for the duration of the pilot. Charge time will vary depending on how much charge is required. It can be used by any electric vehicle as well as electric scooters.

"As recipients of the prestigious Building Owners and Managers Building Environmental Standards Level 3 certification, we pride ourselves on our environmental leadership within the Canadian shopping centre industry. We're excited to be part of the growing number of facilities helping make electric cars part of Canada's changing transportation landscape." Scott Lindsay, Manager of Operations, Stone Road Mall.

Sun Country Highway has helped to install almost 100 electric car charging stations along the Trans Canada Highway so people with electric vehicles can drive from coast to coast. The charging station at Stone Road Mall is now one of the charging points on Canada's electric highway.

"We are thrilled to partner with Guelph Hydro by supplying them with the charging infrastructure to enable the next paradigm shift in transportation—electrification. We see electric vehicles as a key enabler for sustainable development. Through the combination of investment in electric vehicle charging stations and renewable energy production, consumers will be empowered and better able to control they energy related expenditures leaving more disposable income to put bread on the table" Kent Rathwell, President, Sun Country Highway

The electric vehicle charging station is part of the second phase of Guelph Hydro's research study into electric vehicle use in Guelph. Data collected from the charging unit will be analyzed, including how long it takes to charge a vehicle and when and how often people are using it.

Guelph Hydro has plans to install two more units in Guelph; one downtown and one in the north end. Guelph Hydro is inviting suggestions from the community on where to install them. To share your ideas, please email sustainability@guelphhydro.com. Guelph Hydro is also seeking electric vehicle owners in Guelph or Rockwood who would like to participate in a university research study. For more information or to volunteer, please email sustainability@guelphhydro.com.

Parking lots equipped with electric vehicle charging stations will help encourage Canadians to adopt electric vehicles, thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles. Transportation accounts for almost a third of Canada's GHG emissions and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from this sector is a key area of focus in Guelph's Community Energy Initiative.

The Province of Ontario is helping electric car owners install charging stations to encourage sustainable transportation and fight climate change. Starting Jan. 1, 2013, homeowners and businesses who received a provincial electric vehicle rebate and have installed or are planning to install an electric vehicle charging station will be eligible for rebates of up to $1,000 or 50 per cent of the total purchase and installation cost, whichever is lower. Application forms, full criteria and details for the rebate program will be available Jan. 1, 2013 at ontario.ca/electricvehicles.

"Transportation has been identified as a major contributor to Guelph's greenhouse gas emissions and is a key component of the Community Energy Initiative. To that end, we encourage the use of electric vehicles and, as a growing community, it's important we look forward and build the energy infrastructure we will need in the future. Electric vehicles will play an important role in the communities of tomorrow and I thank Guelph Hydro for leading the way." Mayor Karen Farbridge, City of Guelph