Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations

Electric vehicles: Energy for the future

Our customers are becoming more and more environmentally conscious and are looking for ways to adopt green energy, like solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs).

EV sales continue to grow, surpassing more than 100,000 vehicles sold nationwide as of March, 2019.¹ This increase in EVs means more people—and machines—will be relying on electricity to power their transportation across our city.

Whether you need information on electric vehicle chargers, solar panels or the application process for becoming an Independent Power Producer we're here to help.

​EV rebate program

Did you know the federal government now offers a zero-emissions vehicle rebate to make it easier to own an EV? Battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and longer range plug-in hybrid vehicles are eligible for an incentive of $5,000, while shorter range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are eligible for $2,500.

​Considerations before you purchase and install an EV charging station

 Preparing your home's electrical system for an EV charging station

​If your home is not prepared for the additional power needed for an EV charging station, you could overload your electrical system. Many homes built before 1970 are not designed to handle this electrical load, unless the electrical system of the home has been upgraded recently.

If you are unsure of what level of electricity your home can handle:

• Check the main breaker on your electrical panel. The number of amperage (the amount of power) coming into your home may be listed on the main breaker switch (e.g. 60 for 60 amps, 100 for 100 amps, etc.). 

• Contact your electrician. They can measure the amount of electricity coming into your home. If you don't have an electrician, the Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta has a list of qualified electrical contractors (Members) in the Edmonton area.

​ Choosing a charger for your EV

Here are some things to consider:

• Charging station level: Level 1 chargers can plug into normal wall outlets, but are very slow at charging. Level 2 chargers are much faster, charging most EVs overnight; however, they require a 208v or 240v outlet which typically requires an electrician to install in your garage. Confirm the level your chosen vehicle will require with the car's manufacturer.
• Cord length: You will want one that is long enough to reach your vehicle from where the charging station is being installed.
• Scheduling EV charging: Charging your electric vehicle can tax your home's electrical system, so try to schedule your charging during a time when you're not using a lot of power. Typically we use more power when we're getting ready in the morning and when you get home from work. We'd recommend charging your EV later in the evening or when you're sleeping.
• Extra features: Some models offer web portals and apps to monitor EV power usage. If this is something you think you'd want to monitor, choose a charger that has internet capabilities.

 Next steps after you have chosen a charger type

• Have it installed by a qualified electrician. For a list of qualified electricians in the Edmonton area, visit the Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta.
• Plug in. We recommend charging your vehicles overnight so the electrical system of your home isn't taxed when you get home from work and begin making dinner and running other heavy electricity use appliances.

¹Source: Electric Mobility Canada. (2019, May). Electric Vehicle Sales in Canada – Q1 2019: Canada Reaches Over 100,000 Electric Vehicles. Retrieved from https://emc-mec.ca/wp-content/uploads/Sales-Report-Q1-2019.pdf

Resources

• Plug'n Drive (Canada)
• City of Edmonton's Electric Vehicle Strategy
• Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta
• Power service upgrade process (renovations)
• Generating your own energy (solar panels)