Work to install the first two electric car charging stations in the Township of 91原创 was scheduled to begin today (Tuesday, April 2) with crews digging trenches to run power lines for public plug-ins under the parking lots of the W.C. Blair Recreation Centre and Walnut Grove Recreation Centre.

The 220 volt Level 2 plug-ins, which draw 20 to 80 amps will fully charge an electric car with a completely exhausted battery in about six to eight hours.

The Township aims to have five Level 2 charging stations operating by the end of April, with a third public station at the 91原创 Events Centre plus two others reserved for municipal vehicles.

Later on, a Level 3 charging station is planned for the Events Centre, a 400 to 500 volt, 125 amp plug-in that can charge an electric vehicle to about 80 per cent in about 15 minutes.

The Township will pay $39,850 of the $63,850 total for its six stations.

They are being funded in part by the Community Charging Infrastructure Fund, which pays up to 75 per cent of the cost to encourage construction of 570 stations across the province.

Other municipalities such as Vancouver, Surrey and the City of 91原创 have already had stations installed.

On Tuesday, March 20 the City of 91原创 announced that it has installed two electric vehicle charging stations, one located on the west side of City Hall and the other at the municipal operations centre.

More chargers will be added when the new Timms Recreation Centre is built.

With files from  Miranda Gathercole and Brenda Anderson