NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY
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MIDHURST – Since purchasing its first fully electric vehicle (EV) in September 2020, the County of Simcoe has seen enormous environmental and fiscal success. The 2020 Hyundai Kona EV is driven by staff daily to visit county road garages, facilities, and vendors throughout the region.
“With an approximate cost of $35 in annual maintenance to date and roughly $15 per week in electrical charges to drive, this vehicle is by far the most economical and sustainable vehicle in our fleet,” said Brian Barkley, Fleet and Asset Manager with the County of Simcoe.
“This vehicle is typically recharged overnight, with it set to charge from 9 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. each morning. Not only is this the right choice financially, the EV is also environmentally friendly, with zero emissions and greenhouse gases released into our atmosphere.”
The four-door sedan is able to achieve similar mileage to a gas-powered vehicle and has a range of approximately 500 kilometres per 100 per cent charge, with electrical regeneration occurring via kinetic energy while braking.
With the support of council and the success of this initial vehicle, the county is hoping to continue purchasing electric vehicles when cars and trucks in the fleet retire and as additional electric vehicles become more readily available and easily attainable.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The County of Simcoe has been investing in public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in strategic areas throughout the region since 2016, in an effort to reduce harmful greenhouse gases from vehicle emissions and promote the expansion of electric vehicles. Current charging stations created by the County can found at the following sites throughout the region:
- County Museum – 1151 Highway 26, Midhurst
- Washago Carpool Lot – corner of Highway 169 and Highway 11, Washago
- Station Park – 212 Huron Street, Stayner
- County Administration Office – 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst
At these stations, the average electric vehicle takes 20 to 30 minutes to charge its battery to 80 percent. Owners of electric vehicles can download the Greenlots app to pre-load payment information. Locations and status of charging locations can be viewed on Plugshare and other EV charging apps.
“The County is a leader in so many environmental programs, from forestry, to solid waste management, and to sustainable builds. We’re committed to protecting our environment for future generations,” said Warden George Cornell.
“Over the next 10 years, we will see a significant shift towards electric vehicles. The County will do our part to upgrade our fleet as well as support the public and our businesses through investments in public charging stations to encourage responsible moves toward sustainability.”
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