Parks Canada adds 18 electric-vehicle charging stations on P.E.I.

Parks Canada has installed 18 electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations at national parksites across Prince Edward Islandthis summer.

It is part of an initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by moving to more electric options.

"Ours is a mid-grade electric vehicle charger so depending on your battery level, it could take up to eighthours to charge your vehicle," said Bill Courtney, Parks Canada asset manager for P.E.I. National Park.

"We offer these electric vehicle chargers free-of-charge. You can come charge your vehicle and enjoy the places."

Equipment for the 18 charging stations was donated by Tesla, while Parks Canada handled the design and installation costs.

Park sites that now have Tesla chargers installed:

• Two atArdgowan National Historic Site inCharlottetown.
• Six at Green Gables Heritage Place inCavendish.
• Six in P.E.I. National Park atBrackleyBeach.
• Four inP.E.I. National Park atGreenwich.

There were already two electric-vehicle charging stations installed in the P.E.I. National Park atDalvay one for visitors by the DalvayTrail House andthe otherto be used byParks Canada's electric fleet.

Parks Canada is usingone electric vehicle, a2019 Nissan Leaf ,and two hybrid vehicles on the Island.

Spark of change

Courtney said Parks Canada will be trying to add EVs to its fleet every year.

"The government of Canada and Parks Canada are endeavouring to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.One way to do that is to move from gasoline and diesel engines to electric vehicles," Courtney said.

"We want,both ourselves, to purchase more electric vehicles and we would like to encourage the travelling public to consider purchasing electric so that they can do their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change."

Courtney said $150,000 was spent by Parks Canada to ensure the equipment and infrastructurewere properly installed at differentpark locations.

Going Green

Parking spaces have been painted to identify where the chargers are so people with EVs know where to park, and others know where not to.

"You're probably familiar with accessible parking spots being blue in some places. There are designated spots for expecting mothers or young families," Courtney said.

"Well, we have green parking spots nowand that means it's designated for electric vehicles only."

Courtney said the charging stations will be availableyear-round but some of the sites do not get plowed during the winter months, so access will be as conditions permit.

CBC reached out to the P.E.I. Department ofTransportation, Infrastructure and Energy but no one was made available to comment on the province's current EV fleet or future plans.

Minister Steven Myers recently drove an electric vehicle from tip-to-tip in one day to demonstratethe EV charging station network.

The province has encouraged the use of electric vehicles in the 2019 Sustainable Transportation Action Plan.

Currently, it is free to register an EV on P.E.I. and half price for hybrid vehicles.

There is a federal incentive to purchase a zero-emission vehicle through Transport Canadabut no further provincial incentives on P.E.I.

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