Elliot Lake council is looking further into signing a 10-year contract with an Ontario government company for the installation of an electric vehicle charging station.
Steven Antunes, the city economic development manager told the council that Ivy Charging Solutions, which is jointly owned by Hydro One and the Ontario Power Generation Corporation is offering a 10-year contract for the construction of the charging station with an estimated cost in the first year of around $25,000.
Antunes says the city is unlikely to sell enough battery charges to make money in the short term but as more people buy electric vehicles, the initiative could eventually make money.
He adds an expected federal mandate is coming soon that will require 20 percent of all cars and trucks sold in the country to be electric and that is to increase to 50 percent by 2035.
Antunes adds the city has also applied for a government grant from Natural Resources Canada to cover up to 75 percent of the subsequent costs of adding the station.
Council has given initial approval to look further into the initiative with further discussions planned on possible sites.
