Red Deer County has submitted an application for funding to support the installation of two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. These chargers have been set up at the Red Deer County Centre, and the county is pursuing financial assistance from Alberta Municipalities through the Electric Vehicle Charging Program to further the initiative.

Andrew Treu, the environment services manager for Red Deer County, highlighted the importance of this project by stating, “The Electric Vehicle Charging Program is funded in part by Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure program and Alberta Municipalities. Providing EV charging at County Centre is a service for our visiting business partners; it’s another amenity that supports sustainability and innovation.”

Supporting Sustainable Transportation Initiatives

This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the county’s fleet with more sustainable options. In 2023, Red Deer County purchased two Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, with funding support from provincial programs administered by the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC). This organization is a partnership among Alberta Municipalities, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta. Additionally, in 2022, Red Deer County received funding from MCCAC for their acquisition of a Kia Niro EV and two charging stations.

The MCCAC’s Electric Vehicles for Municipalities program, along with the Electric Vehicle Charging Program, aims to assist municipalities in transitioning to more efficient electric vehicles that produce lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Alberta Municipalities introduced the Electric Vehicle Charging Program this year, allocating $1.7 million in funding to successful applicants for the purchase and installation of EV charging stations across the province. Since its inception, Alberta Municipalities has funded over 170 new charging stations throughout Alberta, significantly bolstering the infrastructure needed for electric vehicles.

For more information on Alberta Municipalities’ Electric Vehicle Charging Program, interested parties can visit their website at www.abmunis.ca/products-services/electric-vehicle-charging-program.

As the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, initiatives like those in Red Deer County play a crucial role in supporting the transition towards sustainable transportation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.