The Municipality of Lakeshore unveiled two new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations Tuesday as part of a growing national effort to expand EV infrastructure in underserved communities.
A “plugging-in” ceremony marked the official launch of the stations, located at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre and Lakeview Park in Belle River, Ont.
Funded through the Charged for Change program — a partnership between Aviva Canada and Earth Day Canada — the initiative aims to support municipalities without adequate charging infrastructure. Lakeshore is one of seven Ontario municipalities to receive Level 2 EV chargers in the inaugural year of the program.
“The Municipality of Lakeshore extends appreciation to Aviva Canada and Earth Day Canada’s Charged for Change program for the funding to create two publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations in Lakeshore,” said Mayor Tracey Bailey. “We are thrilled about the vehicle charging opportunities for residents and visitors in our community, helping make Lakeshore a more sustainable place to live, work and play.”
The three-year, $3-million initiative opened to applications across Canada this year, with the goal of supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The total cost of the two charging stations was $130,000, with the grant covering $125,000.
Valerie Mallamo, executive director of Earth Day Canada, said the program is helping address the global climate crisis through tangible community action.
“With the support of Aviva Canada through the Charged for Change program, we were able to make a difference by bringing charging opportunities in communities where they were lacking and help Canadians access infrastructure and take charge for a sustainable future,” she said.
Municipal officials say the project supports Lakeshore’s Strategic Objective of modernizing and enhancing municipal function.
Greg Layson, automotive analyst and digital editor at Automotive News Canada, said that while the growth in EV sales has slowed, interest remains strong — especially as more mainstream automakers enter the market.
“EV sales are still increasing, although slower than they had been,” said Layson. “GM’s EV sales in the first quarter alone were up 252 per cent. So there’s still demand, there’s still interest. What you’re seeing now is automakers making EVs mainstream by electrifying the vehicles most consumers are already driving.”
Layson added that public projects like the one in Lakeshore play a key role in easing the transition.
“This is what’s needed out and about and in public,” he said. “People need to see that they can charge their vehicles when they’re in a pinch, and this project goes a long way to speak to that.”
He also noted that while many EV owners are fortunate enough to install chargers at home, not everyone has that option — making public access essential.
“If you have the ability to put a charger in your home, you essentially wake up every morning with a full tank of gas, for lack of a better term,” said Layson. “But projects like this are what’s been missing.”
