CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Network of electric-vehicle charging stations expands with new installations

Conestoga's network of electric-vehicle charging stations expanded with the addition of nine new stations installed at the Milton - Parkhill campus.

These ChargePoint Level 2 units bring the college's charging network for electric vehicles (EV) to a total of 18 stations across six sites to better support students and employees using low-carbon modes of transportation.

Three stations are also available exclusively for fleet use as Conestoga currently has three fully electric cargo vans used as facilities vehicles.

"With our significant presence across the communities we operate in, we recognize we have a tremendous amount of influence in supporting the low-carbon transition," said Samantha Tremmel Lamb, environmental sustainability and energy performance manager.

Supporting Conestoga students and employees as well as the local community with that transition to sustainable transportation requires readily available spots to charge electric vehicles. That availability reduces "range anxiety" over the worry of a vehicle not having enough charge to reach a destination, as well as bridges a gap in residential EV charging infrastructure particularly in multi-unit buildings.

The college's EV charging network will continue to expand.

Conestoga established a goal to equip 1.5% of parking spaces with EV chargers by 2030, a goal being supported by the development of a plan that prioritizes campuses that are currently underserved, while also taking accessibility into account.

"The transition to a low carbon future will only be successful if everyone can participate. All types of vehicles will begin to transition to electric, meaning all types of parking spaces will have a need for EV charging stations, including accessible parking spaces," Tremmel Lamb said.

Conestoga applied for funding through the provincial EV ChargeON program to support the expansion of the college's network. The funding, if granted, will go toward installing additional units at the Cambridge - Fountain Street campus and a bank of units at Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus on Reuter Drive in Cambridge. Plans are also in place to add additional units to the Guelph campus.

EV network planning requires careful consideration of electrical capacity requirements and limitations, which means a phased approach must be taken and campuses with existing capacity may be implemented over those requiring significant electrical upgrades to accommodate the expansion.

Students and employees are invited to download the ChargePoint mobile app to charge at any ChargePoint station.

Visit Conestoga's parking services website for a list of other EV charging stations in the network, which includes 3065 King (four), Kitchener - Doon (one), Waterloo (two), Cambridge - Fountain Street (one), Guelph (one), and Milton - Parkhill Drive campuses.

Conestoga is committed to environmental sustainability by taking the necessary steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across college operations and supporting students and staff in the transition to a low-carbon future. Find out more from Facilities Management.