PHOTO BY EMILY MCTIGHE, THE MACLEOD GAZETTE A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday for the new Peaks to Prairies EV Charging Station Network instalation in Fort Macleod. The fourth in Alberta, the charging station is in the parking lot across from The Fort — Museum of the North West Mounted Police. Electric vehicle charging stations also opened this week in Pincher Creek, Cardston and Kananaskis. From left: SouthGrow Regional Initiative executive director Peter Casurella, ATCO senior manager of business development, MD of Willow Creek Coun. John Van Driesten, Fort Macleod Mayor Brent Feyter, Bev Thornton of Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Alliance, Fort Macleod Coun. Werner Dressler, Fort Macleod Coun. Jim Monteith and Peaks to Prairies project manager Megan Lohmann.
PHOTO BY EMILY MCTIGHE, THE MACLEOD GAZETTE
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday for the new Peaks to Prairies EV Charging Station Network instalation in Fort Macleod. The fourth in Alberta, the charging station is in the parking lot across from The Fort — Museum of the North West Mounted Police. Electric vehicle charging stations also opened this week in Pincher Creek, Cardston and Kananaskis. From left: SouthGrow Regional Initiative executive director Peter Casurella, ATCO senior manager of business development, MD of Willow Creek Coun. John Van Driesten, Fort Macleod Mayor Brent Feyter, Bev Thornton of Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Alliance, Fort Macleod Coun. Werner Dressler, Fort Macleod Coun. Jim Monteith and Peaks to Prairies project manager Megan Lohmann.
The Peaks to Prairies Project accelerated the deployment of its electric vehicle charging network Oct. 7 with the electrification of charging stations in Cardston and Fort Macleod.
These stations, owned and operated by ATCO, are key infrastructure for making electric vehicle travel along Highway 3 and south on Highway 2 easier.
The two-year, $2.2 million project is funded by Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance, SouthGrow Regional Initiative, Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance, SouthGrow Regional Initiative, the cities of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat and Medicine Hat College, in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program.
The purpose of the initiative is to establish an electric vehicle charging network across southern Alberta, connecting communities from Crowsnest Pass to Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek to Calgary, and west to Canmore.
The full network will see 20 DCFC and Level 2 co-located stations installed by the end of 2019, resulting in more than 1,100 kilometres of highway connected for electric vehicle travel.
The network will facilitate travel to and within the region, positioning southern Alberta communities to benefit from increased electric vehicle tourism.
Like all stations in the Peaks to Prairies network, these have been strategically located within the towns to ensure easy access to amenities and attractions unique to each community, as well as the incredible natural beauty and rich history.
The two stations in Cardston and Fort Macleod facilitate connectivity to unique attractions in the southwest corner of the province, and to the state of Montana.
A core goal of Peaks to Prairies was to showcase the innovation, energy, and opportunity of southern Alberta, as well as the unique culture of each of the communities, large and small, that make up the region.
“The Town of Fort Macleod has always been known as a small town with a big heart, and we’re very excited to be included in this project,” Fort Macleod Mayor Brent Feyter said. “We are proud to be a part of this beautiful region, and this electric vehicle charging network helps us continue to connect with our neighbours in southern Alberta, and ensures anyone who wants to visit, can do so.”
All Peaks to Prairies stations will be installed, owned and operated by ATCO.
ATCOenergy will power the charging stations with the equivalent of 100 per cent of the electricity coming from renewable sources so that electric vehicle drivers are consuming clean electricity.
The DC fast charging stations allow a vehicle to charge from 20 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes.
Level 2 charging stations take four to six hours for an 80 per cent charge.
