Financial Assistance for Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Stations
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association request that the Government of Alberta expand the offer of programs funded by the carbon tax to include financial assistance to municipalities for capital and operating costs of EV charging stations.
WHEREAS the Alberta government has committed to taking action on climate change with the Climate Leadership Plan, a strategy designed to diversify our economy, create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause climate change;
WHEREAS the Alberta government has implemented a carbon levy on all transportation and heating fuels which emit greenhouse gases when burned to encourage Albertans to reduce carbon pollution from their homes and from the province’s approximately three million registered vehicles;
WHEREAS the federal government is committed to reducing GHG emissions contributing to climate change, and has a plan to complete a coast-to-coast network of electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers on the national highway system and through Natural Resources Canada has offered the Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative, funding 50 per cent of the capital cost of DC Fast Charging (Level 3) EV chargers;
WHEREAS supporting the emerging technology of EVs and charging infrastructure could significantly reduce the production of GHG emissions from the transportation sector in Alberta. The availability of reliable charging infrastructure is a key factor in EV adoption and municipalities could play a part in providing this infrastructure; and
WHEREAS in addition to the high capital cost of installing a fast charging EV station, operating costs for energy and transmission rates are prohibitive for municipalities. Financial assistance is required to create a charging network across the province to increase confidence in electric vehicle ownership, to increase sales of EVs which will increase usage of the public EV charging stations, making the service cost-neutral with user fees. The carbon levy is funding many incentive and rebate programs through Alberta. However, there is no specific program designed to assist municipalities with the deployment of EV charging stations.
Electric vehicles are projected to cost the same as the equivalent gas-powered vehicles by the early 2020s and already cost less to operate and maintain. Electric vehicles are an emerging technology; sales are expected to increase dramatically over the next five years as more affordable models become available. In Alberta, electric vehicles emit only two-thirds of emissions of the average gas-powered car. This will improve further as coal is removed from the provincial electricity system. Increased adoption of electric vehicles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector and contribute to Canada’s climate change strategies.
The availability of reliable charging infrastructure is a key factor in EV adoption. Supporting faster adoption of electric vehicles aids in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Alberta lags behind Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia in the number of EVs on the road and number of charging ports. Most large centres offer a variety of Level 2 charging ports and DC fast charging stations. Having EV chargers across the province and country will establish connectivity for EV drivers.
The Municipality of Jasper has estimated that the total capital costs of installing a Level 3 charging station, which charge cars more quickly than level 2 charging stations would be $100,000 for the following items:
Engineering and design $9,000
Equipment (charger) $63,000
Construction $20,000
Signage, opening $8,000
Total $100,000
- AUMA does not have a current policy position on this specific issue.