BRUCE POWER
Bruce Power, Municipality of Brockton celebrate Electric Vehicles, open charging station

Bruce Power, the Municipality of Brockton and Plug'n Drive braved the wet weather to educate the public on the emerging technology of Electric Vehicles (EVs), while officially opening a charging station in downtown Walkerton.

After a presentation by Plug'n Drive on the increasing viability of EVs due to infrastructure upgrades, the public was offered the opportunity to test drive various types of EVs, which were loaned to the event by Leslie Ford and Plug'n Drive, said Brockton Mayor David Inglis.

"Although Electric Vehicles are becoming much more common as the technology and infrastructure improves, we realized most people haven't had the opportunity to actually drive one," Mayor Inglis said. "Thanks to the Grey Bruce Sustainability Network and Brockton's Economic Development and Environmental Advisory Committees, we were able to give community members the chance to sit behind the wheel of the cars of the future."

Francis Chua, Bruce Power's Department Manager, Environment and Sustainability, said educational events such as Brockton's will be the key to EVs gaining acceptance with the drivers of Ontario.

"Every year, EVs become a much more affordable and viable mode of transportation for people, even in rural areas such as ours," Chua said. "As Ontario electrifies its transportation sector, there will be an increase in demand for clean energy, which will be supplied by Bruce Power."

The Brockton charging station, located at the municipal parking lot in Walkerton at 205 Catharine St., is one of eight Bruce Power, Plug'n Drive, municipalities, educational institutions and businesses are collaborating to install across the region this fall. Stations have also been unveiled in Kincardine, Port Elgin, Southampton and Wroxeter.

About Bruce Power

Bruce Power operates the world's largest operating nuclear generating facility and is the source of 30 per cent of Ontario's electricity. The company's site in Tiverton, Ontario, is home to eight CANDU reactors. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an all-Canadian partnership among Borealis Infrastructure Trust Management (a division of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System), TransCanada, the Power Workers' Union and The Society of Energy Professionals. A majority of Bruce Power's employees are also owners in the business.