Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Jonathan Wilkinson, has announced that 28 of the most popular Parks Canada places now have Tesla donated electric vehicle (EV) charging stations available for visitors to use.
In May 2019, the Government of Canada committed to having charging station infrastructure at or near 25 of the most popular Parks Canada places across the country by 2021 and would double the number of destinations offering this service to the 50 most popular places by 2025. Parks Canada has already met its 2021 goal and is on its way to meeting the 2025 targets, with the help of a Tesla donation of over 350 charging stations in 2019.
The gift from Tesla allows Parks Canada to better serve visitors who have chosen electric vehicles and is part of Parks Canada’s ongoing work in greening operations and fighting climate change.
“With the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at more and more Parks Canada places across the country, the Government of Canada is making it easier for Canadians to choose our amazing national parks, national marine conservation areas, national historic sites, or national urban park for their next travel destination, all while reducing emissions, discovering nature, and connecting with history,” said Minister Wilkinson.
To date, 172 electric vehicle charging stations have been installed in 14 national parks, 12 national historic sites, one national marine conservation area and in Rouge National Urban Park. For each location where this new EV charging service is available, half of the charging stations are Tesla and half are J-1772 and are included free of charge with entry fees (where applicable). Several Parks Canada places will have more than one area where visitors can charge their electric vehicles.
The Government of Canada is committed to providing Canadians with practical solutions to reduce emissions when they visit national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.
Transportation accounts for a quarter of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, almost half of which comes from cars and light trucks. Electric vehicles offer the potential to significantly reduce GHG emissions.
To find out if there’s an EV station at a particular national park or historic site, click here.
Featured image caption and credit: Electric vehicle charging stations at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site (British Columbia) – Parks Canada.
