The Northwest Territories Government announced the first EV charger in Behchoko.
The government is installing a single super-fast level three charger in the community at the cost of $624,000.
As per Cory Strang, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation’s president, the Behchoko charger is:
a critical first step to developing an electrified transportation corridor between Alberta and Yellowknife.
The nearby North Slave hydroelectric grid is powering the project.
However, this installation cost does bring into question how far a recent announcement from the federal government will go.
Last week, the Federal government announced $414,000 to help the territory install up to 72 level two and three chargers along the road network between Yellowknife and Alberta.
However, according to the Government of Northwest Territories figures, that will not cover the cost of the charger at Behchoko, let alone the rest of the 71.
The cost to install these chargers will range depending on the location and existing infrastructure.
However, it does seem like the $414,000 in federal funding will be a simple drop in the bucket.
So the question is, who is going to cover the rest of the cost?
More to come on this one, we are sure.
