Eight municipalities will receive electric vehicle (EV) charging stations from Aviva Canada as part of the insurer’s Charged for Change program.
Now in its second year, the program is a collaboration with Earth Day Canada. In 2023, seven Ontario municipalities received Level 2 charging stations.
This year’s recipients are: Town of Okotoks, AB; Municipality of Lakeshore, ON; Municipalité de Chertsey, QC; Communauté rurale de Kedgwick, NB; Municipalité des Hautes-Terres, NB; Town of Grand Bay-Westfield, NB; Village de Bois-Joli, NB; and Ville régionale de Cap-Acadie, NB.
Paul Fletcher, chief corporate affairs officer at Aviva, said: “We know that the lack of public charging infrastructure can be a major barrier to Canadians choosing to purchase an EV. The goal of Charged for Change is to help level the playing field for municipalities with insufficient access.
“Every charger makes a difference. As the government’s 2035 zero-emissions mandate draws near, we hope to see more initiatives like ours that encourage and support Canadians to make the switch to EVs.”
It was noted that municipalities that wish to participate in the program next year can apply in the fall.
Valérie Mallamo, Earth Day Canada executive director, commented: “The collective transition to electromobility is a key part of the global climate change solution.
“We’re grateful to be able to work alongside Aviva Canada to support the installation of public EV charging stations in rural municipalities that want to increase the opportunities and reduce the anxieties around EV adoption for residents.”
Last year, Aviva Canada chief distribution officer Ben Isotta-Riches lamented the lack of investment in charging infrastructure, saying more needs to be done to impart confidence in EVs for motorists in the country.
Speaking with Insurance Business at the time about the Charged for Change program, he shared: “We felt strongly that this was an area where we could help tackle this pain point and move the needle toward EV adoption among Canadians.”
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