City Approves Strategy to Implement Public Charge Stations

Richmond Hill – Richmond Hill Council endorsed the City’s first Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy that will guide the implementation of public electric vehicle charge stations at City-owned facilities and parks.

With rising electric vehicle adoption in Ontario and across Canada, Richmond Hill is setting the foundation to meet evolving demand by expanding its charge station network to improve public access.

Creating public electric vehicle charge stations will significantly contribute towards Richmond Hill achieving the net-zero community emissions target in the City’s Community Energy and Emissions Plan.  It will also advance the Transportation Master Plan’s priority of shifting more motorized trips to low-emissions travel.

The City has identified 24 prospective sites for electric vehicle charge station deployment, including Elvis Stojko Arena, McConaghy Seniors’ Centre, Elgin Barrow Arena, Richmond Green, and more.

Funding for building these charge stations will come from a variety of sources, and will prioritize the use of grants, private partnerships, and integrating electric vehicle infrastructure into existing capital projects such as parking lot resurfacing projects, before drawing on municipal reserves. This will help reduce reliance on municipal resources.

In addition, charging fees will be established at all stations to ensure users are responsible for the costs of all electricity consumed during their session, and to offset the ongoing costs of operating and maintaining the charge station network.

Learn more about the City’s Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy at RichmondHill.ca/ElectricVehicles.

QUICK FACTS

• In Richmond Hill, transportation is the largest source of community-level greenhouse gas emissions (40%). The Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) calls for a 40% reduction in transportation-related emissions to help achieve the City’s 2050 net-zero target. Transitioning from conventional vehicles to EVs is one of the most measurable and impactful strategies to achieve this reduction.
• Between 2020 and 2024, Richmond Hill battery electric vehicle registrations increased by 400% to reach 3,451 total vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle registrations increased by 194% to reach 799 total vehicles.

QUOTE

“Richmond Hill is a progressive city, committed to building a community with a sustainable future. As more electric vehicles take to our roads, we are ready to lay the groundwork for electric vehicle charging stations today. This important step brings us closer to our vision of a vibrant city of neighbours, achieving our shared goals and creating a more wonderful home for future generations.”