NB Power announced the province’s first electric vehicle charging network today in Moncton.
CEO Gaetan Thomas says the eCharge Network includes 15 locations along the busiest highways for drivers to charge their vehicles.
He explains the difference between level 2 charging stations and the level 3, or fast charging stations.
“Typically, the class 2 level can take up to 4 to 6 hours to charge, so this fast charging station allows most vehicles to be charged to up to 80% within 30 minutes,” says Thomas.
He says a corridor of 15 fast charging stations along the Trans-Canada will reduce “range anxiety.”
Thomas adds the price of electric vehicles has been steadily dropping and by 2025 they will be cheaper than a gas powered car.
“And therefore, there will be no doubt at that time that we will have a big takeup of electric vehicles, because they will have a longer charge, the batteries will be good for 350 kilometres by then,” says Thomas.
Nine eCharge Network stations are already available in Moncton, Shediac, Quispamsis, Fredericton and Grand-Bay Westfield.
The rest of the network will be in place by this fall.
Fast chargers are being installed at the following locations along the Trans-Canada Highway:
- Edmundston Truck Stop
- Irving Big Stop, Saint André
- Johnson Guardian, Perth-Andover
- Murray’s Irving, Woodstock
- Petro-Canada / Acorn Restaurant, Prince William
- Irving Big Stop, Waasis
- Youngs Cove Irving
- Irving Big Stop, Salisbury
- Magnetic Hill Irving, Moncton
- Irving Big Stop, Aulac
The standard level 2 charging stations are 240 volt, and the level 3 fast charging stations are 400 volt.
However, that advantage comes with a hefty pricetag, as the cost per level 2 station is between $5,000 – $6,000 while the cost per unit for the level 3 station comes in at $25,000.
EV drivers, you can use the eCharge app to find available stations near you. Available on app store & google play. https://t.co/dny8xe1NlM pic.twitter.com/neBt1WdWWo
— NB Power (@NB_Power) July 7, 2017
