On November 9, 2016, Humber College unveiled the latest edition to the Lakeshore campus: an electric vehicle charging station. Generously donated by Bruce Power in partnership with Pollution Probe and Plug’n Drive, the new charging station is open to students, staff, and community members. The charging station can be found in the Welcome Centre, the newest student services and administration building located on the corner of Lakeshore Blvd. and Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr.
“With nearly 80,000 full- and part-time students travelling to and from campus on a regular basis, transportation management is one of our major focus areas, and we actively support energy-efficient forms of transportation, such as electric vehicles, public transit, bicycle commuting and carpooling,” says Lindsay Walker, Sustainability Manager at Humber. “We're planning to add more charging stations in the coming years."
The charging station has dual ports which allow for two cars to be charged at the same time. The stations are available to drivers for a charging period maximum of four hours per vehicle, per day. Once a vehicle is fully charged, users are then asked to move their vehicle and are able to use a paid or permit parking space, as needed. Charging stations are available from Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and throughout weekends from 8 a.m.to 6 p.m.
Pollution Probe CEO Ingrid Thompson also notes, “As the Paris Accord comes into effect, the decarbonization of transportation is the next big opportunity to get serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are seeing unprecedented incentives and cooperation by policy-makers to make electric vehicles an attractive alternative to traditional combustion engines. For student drivers here at Humber, this charging station will hopefully help tip the balance toward a climate-friendly transportation choice.”
According to Plug’n Drive, there are currently more than 28,000 EVs on the road in Canada, and more than 4, 500 public charging stations across the country. Plug’n Drive estimates that an EV can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95 per cent.
Electric cars also require less maintenance as they do not require oil changes, coolant flushes, mufflers or exhaust systems. Ontario provides several incentives to reduce the purchasing cost of an electric vehicles and home charging stations by as much as $14,000.
Interested in test driving an electric vehicle? Come out to Humber College Lakeshore campus on March 29th to test drive one of three electric vehicles with Plug’n Drive. This event will be held during Humber Earth Week which is open to the public. For more information, visit: humber.ca/sustainability for the Humber Earth Week calendar and event details.
