Council okays downtown EV charger project, with three nay votes
Town council has given the green light on plans to install an EV charger in downtown Sackville, in the parking lot between Goya’s Pizza and the Post Office. Three motions authorizing staff to seek funding, purchase a charger, and have electrical infrastructure installed passed on Tuesday night, with three councillors voting against all three motions.
The project involves hiring local company Tantramar Electric to install infrastructure downtown that can accommodate a number of chargers, and the purchase of a level 3 Flo Charger to operate as part of NP Power’s E-charge network. Unlike the free level 2 charger at the Sackville Visitor Information Centre, people using the new charger would pay for their electricity via a smartphone app or e-charge account.
Climate Change coordinator Kirsty Mrazek told council last week that advantages to the e-charge network includes access to advertising, customer service, and a payment management system. The Flo is a fast charger, which means people will be able to get a significant “fill up” in about 30 minutes.
Mrazek told council the project would encourage EV drivers to stop in Sackville while on longer drives, bringing them close to “downtown amenities such as restaurants, stores, parking lots, or public washrooms and parks.” A fast charger would also serve local EV drivers, said Mrazek, “especially those living in multi unit residential buildings who are looking to drive an EV but do not have access currently to overnight charging infrastructure.”… Continue