Some residents in the Ontario township of McKellar, are petitioning against a proposed electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The township is located just over a three hours drive north of Toronto.
The petition was started January 19 by Chris Skinner, who states, “There is little benefit to the vast majority of McKellar residents, both seasonal and full time,” in regards to the EV charging station, reports the Parry Sound.
“Who is going to drive to the town office located on hwy 124 to charge their vehicle for a period of time?,” asks the petition, along with “How many people would actually do this in a day, month, season, year?”.
On November 10, 2020, the Canadian township carried resolution 20-444, to install EV charging stations at its Community Centre Complex, at the cost of $100,000 CAD ($78,700 USD) per station.
McKellar township said it would ask Hydro One to submit to the Natural Resources Canada Grant, under the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) to get a 50% rebate on the charging stations.
McKellar does not have a gas station, so some residents questioned who will actually use an EV charging station.
“You cannot even buy gasoline in the township,” said David Downing, a McKellar ratepayer. “How many (electric vehicle) owners? One I think, and he is a councillor … sure, the government will match to 50 per cent but we have other needs for our $100,000.”
As of writing, the petition has garnered 243 signatures out of its 500 goal.
In 2016, the population of the McKellar township according to StatCan data was at 1,111.
Mayor Peter Hopkins told the Parry Sound the township was formulating a response, but had no further comment on the matter.
