Asanga Gunatillaka (ATCO) and Councillor Jeff Carlson (City of Lethbridge)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge’s first electric vehicle fast charger launches at Park Place Mall

Aug 15, 2019 | 10:27 AM

LETHBRIDGE –– The Peaks to Prairies Electric Vehicle Charging Network celebrated the launch of Lethbridge’s first Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) Wednesday.

It’s owned and operated by ATCO and is located in the Park Place Mall parking lot between Old Navy and Pier One Imports.

“There is momentum in Lethbridge to be a leader in this area – to support electric transportation and ensure residents and anyone who wants to visit our great City can conveniently do so,” says Mayor Chris Spearman. “With this Peaks to Prairies station in addition to the four new Level 2 stations at the ATB Centre, we are excited to support this emerging form of transportation.”

It is part of a regional strategy to connect communities from the Crowsnest Pass to Medicine Hat and Pincher Creek to Calgary.

Once completed, the Peaks to Prairies network will have 20 DCFC and Level 2 chargers, connecting more than 1,100 km of highway.

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DCFC stations can charge a vehicle from 20% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes, compared to four-to-six hours for a Level 2 charger.

“At ATCO, we see it as part of our ongoing commitment to creating a clean energy future for the communities we serve,” says ATCOenergy President Marshall Wilmot. “It’s just one of the energy efficient, innovative and valuable solutions we’re exploring for homes and businesses across Alberta. We are very proud to be working with our partners in southern Alberta to establish a robust charging network in the province.”

Mosts communities in the region currently do not have any publicly-available fast charging stations, resulting in what Peaks to Prairies calls “range anxiety” where the owners of electric vehicles can be hesitant to make longer road trips.

The station in Lethbridge is said to be strategically located to offer visitors easy access and is powered by 100% renewable energy.

The regional project is funded with $2.2-million over two years between the Cities of Lethbridge, Calgary, and Medicine Hat, as well as the Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance, SouthGrow Regional Initiative, Medicine Hat College, and the federal government.