Officials administering a program designed to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations across Windsor-Essex expect the federal government will provide more funding to keep the effort going.
In January of 2022, the federal government announced $1.7-million to help support the deployment and installation of up to 300 electric vehicle chargers across the region as part of the 'Charge Up' program, which is administered by the Essex Energy Corporation.
All of the funding is now committed and has a wait list of well over 300 applications.
Currently 65 Level 2 chargers have been installed and six Level 3 chargers as a result of the funding.
Eric Freeze of the Essex Energy Corporation says they expect there could be a funding announcement as soon as this summer to keep this program going given the response.
"We anticipated that we would get it used up but not as fast as it went. It was shocking at how quick it came," he says.
The chargers can take a few weeks to a month to install, depending on the level of work required at each site.
Freeze says the applications have come from a wide mix right across Windsor-Essex.
We're seeing municipalities, institutions like universities and colleges, private businesses and some multi-unit residential as well," he says.
The program provides successful applicants with 50 per cent of the installation cost for charging infrastructure, which includes in public places, on-street, at multi-unit residential buildings, at workplaces or for light-duty vehicle fleets.
Freeze says if you are interested in taking part in the program, fill out an application right away.
"Reach out early and get in contact with either myself or my manager at Essex Energy. You can contact us at Charge Up at Essex Energy and we can get you on the wait list so when the funding comes out, we can contact you first," he says.
Click here to find out more about a program and how to fill out an application.