Electric car charging stations now operating at EEEL

Four electric vehicle charging stations were recently installed near the Energy. Environment. Experiential. Learning (EEEL) building.  The charging stations were commissioned through a joint effort between Parking and Transportation Services and Facilities Management and Development.

The charging stations are located in Lot 22 just east of the EEEL building and there is no fee for use at this time. Electric vehicle owners can expect a full charge to take approximately eight to 10 hours at these stations with the charge lasting anywhere from 150 to 300 kilometres, depending on the vehicle.

Along with easy access to public transportation, bike shelters and changing rooms, the electric charging stations are one of the many features EEEL has to offer in support of alternative transportation options, which helped it achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification. 

The charging stations are among a limited number made available in Calgary in the last year.  Bill Evans, director of design and construction at DukeEvans and project manager for EEEL, believes the use of electric cars in Calgary is on the rise.

“There are only a few electric charge stations at the moment, but we’re going to see more in the very near future in the city of Calgary,” he says. Calgary Parking Authority has recently installed one in its 322 9th Ave. S.W. Parkade.

Electric vehicles cost less to operate, are nearly silent when driving, and produce no localized air pollution, making them ideal for large cities. Some models that can take advantage of the charging stations, in addition to the Tesla S, include the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and Mitsubishi i-MIEV. The City of Calgary has also invested in electric vehicles with the i-MIEV and Volt currently operating in fleet applications.