Electric vehicle (EV) drivers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, will soon be able to charge their car while enjoying their favorite fast-food meals from McDonalds. Eco-West Canada, a green infrastructure non-profit based in Manitoba, has secured a $176,000 grant from the provincial government to install electric vehicle chargers at three McDonald’s locations in the city.
The announcement was made at a news conference on Monday where Environment Minister Kevin Klein emphasized the importance of expanding the charging infrastructure to cater to the increasing number of EV owners. He highlighted the significance of having charging stations available at places like retail stores and restaurants where people spend considerable time.
In addition to McDonald’s locations, other public facilities like The Pas Civic Centre, Thompson Regional Community Centre, and the TC Energy Centre in Ile des Chênes will also benefit from the grant, receiving EV chargers by year-end.
The chosen McDonald’s restaurants for the installation of Level 2 chargers are located at 3401 Portage Ave., 3920 Grant Ave., and 1501 St. Mary’s Rd. These will be Level 2 chargers expected to provide EVs with anywhere from 16 to 50 kilometers of range per hour of charging.
“Our guests’ needs are at the heart of everything we do and I am proud to be able to offer them the option to charge their electric vehicles with these new charging stations. This support from the Manitoba government and Eco-West makes it convenient for our patrons to enjoy our food, while recharging their vehicles for the road ahead,” said Amit Kapoor, a McDonald’s Canada franchisee in Winnipeg.
Eco-West Canada will also collaborate with the freight company Gardewine to expand its network of EV chargers. The grant money will be used not only for the McDonald’s charging stations but also to fund additional Level 3 chargers in rural locations, where EV charging infrastructure is currently limited.
Earlier this year, the Manitoba government granted $150,000 to Eco-West Canada for the installation of eight Level 3 chargers, capable of recharging an EV in just 25 to 30 minutes in rural areas, with three already installed in Holland, Cypress River, and Treherne.
