Go East in an electric vehicle

By Irene van der Kloet

Consumers are increasingly encouraged to buy electric vehicles (EVs). Still, the concern in a land like Canada with huge distances is that the vehicle needs to be charged to keep it going. Smoky Lake County has set a step to make it easier for EV owners to go East of Edmonton without getting stranded. Seven EV charging stations have been installed in partnership with the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC). Since 2017, Smoky Lake County has been aware of a gap in access to EV chargers in northeast Alberta, making travelling in an electric vehicle in this region challenging. The previous Regional Economic Development Officer, Michelle Wright, successfully applied for a grant to install the EV chargers in three locations: Waskatenau (two level two chargers by the Community Centre), Smoky Lake (Town Office, one Level 2 charger, Ag Society Complex, one level two charger, Pumpkin Park, one Level three charger) and a regional charger (level two) at Métis Crossing. The levels make a difference in the charging speed and, consequently, in the number of kilometres one can drive the next day. All chargers have been installed by Dandelion Renewables, a company that worked last summer to complete the installations at each location. Reeve of Smoky Lake County, Lorne Halisky, is very pleased with the project: “This project is making it easier for residents and visitors to travel this area in electric vehicles, for example, along the historic and scenic Victoria Trail which was the narrow and winding route of fur traders, explorers, and Red River Carts, connecting Fort Edmonton and Fort Gary (Winnipeg). The County is extremely pleased that these EV Chargers have been made possible in partnership with the Municipal Climate Change Action Center (MCCAC).” The MCCAC is a partnership of Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Government of Alberta. The MCCAC provides funding, technical assistance, and education to municipalities, schools, and community organizations, helping them lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve climate resilience. Since 2009, the MCCAC’s award-winning work has supported hundreds of projects. MCCAC operates in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan and specializes in grid-tied/off-grid solar system designs and installations, deployment of EV charging infrastructure, and building energy storage systems. Juanita Marois, CEO at Métis Crossing, says about the project: “Situated along the North Saskatchewan River and on historic river lots in the Victoria District just 10 minutes south of Smoky Lake, Métis Crossing is Alberta’s first major Métis cultural destination. Created as a place for Métis people to share Métis stories with all people, we welcome visitors to join us for family-fun and cultural learning! As an Indigenous destination, we strongly commit to cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability. These electric vehicle chargers allow people to travel to and stay at Métis Crossing, allowing us to appropriately share our distinct Indigenous stories, music, food, and experiences.”