Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Ottawa-Gatineau

[CanadaGoose]

Originally Posted by roger1818

I wasn't sure if I should put this in this thread of the VIA Rail thread.

I noticed on Plug Share that the Ottawa [VIA Rail] Station now has 2, Electric Circuit Standard (AC Level 2) charging stations. The cost is $2 per hour plugged in, charged per minute (confirmed by Electric Circuit) plus (according to Plug Share) the cost of parking (which last I checked was $3 per hour or $16 per day, with less than 30 minutes being free).

This arrangement seems rather strange for a train station. The way I see it, there are three types of people who park there:

1. Passenger pickup and drop-off (less than an hour).
2. Day trips (8-14 hours)
3. Multi-day trips.

For those in the first group, the pricing is reasonable, but given how little time they are parking, a standard charging station wouldn't give them much of a charge. For them, low powered (50kW or less) DC fast charging stations would be more appropriate.

For those in the second group, a standard charging station might be appropriate, though I question who drives far enough to need to recharge for their trip home when taking a day trip, unless they have a very small battery (like in a PHEV), in which case a standard charge will fill their in a couple hours, resulting in many hours paying for a charge they aren't receiving.

For those in the third group, $2 an hour plugged in would be ridiculously expensive (almost $50 a day for charging alone).

I get they don't want the charging station occupied by someone who finished their charge days ago, but there are better options. It seems like VIA wanted to provide EV charging stations but didn't understand their customers' needs.

As an EV owner, J1772 seems more useful to me than a fast charge, it’s better for my battery. But $2 is too expensive, I usually pay only $1.

Regarding the location, there’s nothing around no reason for me to charge there.

Also, note, that most of all electric cars support J1772 Level 2. But select cars support ChaDeMo or CCS. Ex. Tesla requires a 602$ adapter to use ChaDeMo.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

Too many networks. I don't get why OPG and Hydro One can't team up with The Electric Circuit.

While I can see the logic of OPG and Hydro One teaming up with The Electric Circuit, I don't think there are too many networks. Here is a list of what I belive to be the major EV charging networks in Ontario (from Plug Share):

1. Charge Point,
2. Electric Circuit,
3. Electrify Canada (owned by Electrify America with support from VW Canada),
4. Flo (owned by AddEnergie),
5. Greenlots (owned by Shell),
6. Ivy (owned by Hydro One and OPG),
7. myEVroute (they don't seem to support their stations very well, so I don't expect them to last very long),
8. Petro‑Canada,
9. Sun Country Highway (more of a charging station provider than a network), and
10. Webasto (more of a charging station provider than a network)

(I didn't include GE Watt Station as it is owned by Charge Point)

If you compare that to the number of gas station networks, it isn't really all that different:

1. Canadian Tire Gas+,
2. Costco Gas,
3. Drummond's,
4. ESSO,
5. Flying J,
6. MacEwen,
7. Mr. Gas,
8. Petro-Canada,
9. Pioneer,
10. Shell,
11. Stinson, and
12. Ultramar

Now I do expect that there will be some consolidation, but I don't think the number of networks is unreasonable.

[SidetrackedSue]

Originally Posted by CyrusKafaiwu

Regarding the location, there’s nothing around no reason for me to charge there.

What if you park there and take the LRT downtown for a meeting? Then you are paying $2 per hour for parking, $7.x (can't recall) for transit (unless it is a quick meeting), and getting a charge.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by CyrusKafaiwu

As an EV owner, J1772 seems more useful to me than a fast charge, it’s better for my battery.

There is a lot of FUD about charging. The danger of fast charging is excessively heating up the battery; however, most EVs use some sort of thermal management when charging, either to cool it, or to reduce the rate of charge if the battery is getting too hot (or both).

But $2 is too expensive, I usually pay only $1.

Charging rates are all over the place and charging per hour doesn't take into account how much of a charge you receive and how much you are paying for parking.

Regarding the location, there’s nothing around no reason for me to charge there.

I guess you don't take the train.

Also, note, that most of all electric cars support J1772 Level 2. But select cars support ChaDeMo or CCS. Ex. Tesla requires a 602$ adapter to use ChaDeMo.

Most modern BEVs also support support ChaDeMo or CCS. True Teslas need an adapter, but they also need an adapter to use J1772.

Overall, I think you are missing the point of my original post. VIA missed the mark when evaluating what their customers need in terms EV charging, and were instead given a boilerplate solution.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by SidetrackedSue

What if you park there and take the LRT downtown for a meeting? Then you are paying $2 per hour for parking, $7.x (can't recall) for transit (unless it is a quick meeting), and getting a charge.

Its $3 per hour for parking plus $2 per hour for charging, so a total of $5 per hour plus your transit fare.

[CanadaGoose]

Originally Posted by SidetrackedSue

What if you park there and take the LRT downtown for a meeting? Then you are paying $2 per hour for parking, $7.x (can't recall) for transit (unless it is a quick meeting), and getting a charge.

I mean... City Hall has a spot for 2.00/hr with charging.
World Exchange Plaza does free charging (parking fees are extra).

I still use Transit to go to the Byward Market and etc. But, it’d be nice if they had chargers at Park and Rides instead.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by CyrusKafaiwu

But, it’d be nice if they had chargers at Park and Rides instead.

They do at both the Terry Fox and Fallowfield Park & Rides and the new Chapel Hill Park & Ride is supposed to have some soon (if it doesn’t already). There may also be others. I do agree that it should be a standard feature at all of the major Park & Rides.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by roger1818

^^^ Looking at Ivy's website, they already have 4 locations in:

• Sault Ste Marie,
• Blind River,
• Parry Sound, and
• Huntsville

They each apparently have 2 dual CHAdeMO/CCS 50kW stations.

In Ottawa they plan to have 4 locations plus locations in Kemptville (in the Kemptville Colonnade Retail Centre, beside the 416) and Perth.

Ivy have several more locations, including ones in Keptville (in the Kemptville Colonnade Retail Centre, beside the 416) and Carleton Place (at the Tim Horton's/Pioneer Gas/Pizza Pizza, beside the McDonalds on Hwy 7).

It looks like the one planned for Perth got moved to Carleton Place, which is a disappointment. When it first opened, the website still said Perth, with no address, but both their App and PlugShare said Carleton Place (with the address). Now the website says Carleton Place and there are pictures on PlugShare so I am confident that this is the actual location. I don't know if Perth was an error, or if they had to move it for some reason. These do seem like good locations though. I just wish there was at least one more between Carleton Place and Havelock.

Regarding the locations in Ottawa, there doesn't seem to be any update. I don't trust the placeholders on the map (especially after the Perth/Carleton Place mix up), but if they are accurate, they would be at:

• Canadian Tire Greenbank & Strandherd,
• Canadian Tire Merivale & Hunt Club,
• Home Depot Cyrville, and
• Home Depot Tenth Line & Innes

I wouldn't count on these being the actual locations though. If they are, I wouldn't don't think they are very optimal. It seems like we have a case of the tail wagging the dog.

Optimally DC fast charging stations should be on a "provincial highway" (or close to an exit) and near a restaurant or coffee shop so you can use the facilities and get something to eat or drink. These tentative locations would be better served by standard "destination" charging stations.

[roger1818]

Also, for when the boarder opens up, I noticed on PlugShare that Mirabito (a gas/convenience store chain in Central New York) is building DC Fast Chargers along the I-81 in Syracuse, Preble and Castle Creek. Also IHOP is building one in Watertown. Up until this, I-81 has been a big dead zone as there were none between the New York Welcome Centres on the northern and southern state boarders, a distance of 285 km (177 miles).

[Truenorth00]

Ivy looks like they got a deal with Home Depot and Canadian Tire. Hence why the locations are sub-optimal. Don't get why they aren't going after mall, grocery stores and coffee shops.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

Ivy looks like they got a deal with Home Depot and Canadian Tire. Hence why the locations are sub-optimal. Don't get why they aren't going after mall, grocery stores and coffee shops.

Except, according to this press release, Canadian Tire is working with "FLO, Electrify Canada, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), and Tesla." There is no mention of Ivy.

Also, from what I can tell, charging stations Ivy has built up to now are all near restaurants and coffee shops. Overall, I am skeptical about the exact locations of the Ottawa locations being real.

As a BEV owner, I would say that standard chargers are a better option at malls and grocery stores. DC Fast chargers are not something you use as part of your daily routine, as they are almost always the most expensive way to charge your vehicle. As a result, they are best used when you need a lot of charge in a short amount of time, like on a road trip.

If you do need to charge when out doing errands for some reason, you are better off having your car "graze" at multiple destinations (or pick one that you will be at for a while). While admittedly significantly slower than a DC Fast charger, a standard charging station will give you a surprising amount of charge when plugged in for an hour while doing an errand.

[CanadaGoose]

I agree with roger1818

I use J1772 standard chargers wherever I can.

Fast chargers are very appropriate for top up (if you don’t have a garage) or highway travel only.

When driving, I do find a lot of the fast charge locations not that convenient. Im really surprised that OnRoute stops don’t have them. It’s always a plaza off the highway (with no signage), and about 2-5 minutes looking for it.

I will note Tesla Supercharger is opening in Perth soon.

[DarthVader_1961]

Canadian tire in Bells Cornors is installing charging stations

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by DarthVader_1961

Canadian tire in Bells Cornors is installing charging stations

I’m curious where you heard that? The only charging station at a Canadian Tire in Ottawa shown on PlugShare is the Electrify Canada one being built at Coventry Rd Canadian Tire. If true, at least it is reasonably close to the Queensway, shares a parking lot with a Tim Horton’s and it’s across the street from a McDonalds.

Speaking of new EV charging stations, I recently discovered that Shell is building new gas stations in Kanata (Terry Fox and Kanata ave) and Stittsville (Hazeldean @ Fringewood) and both will have 2 charging stations each (presumably DC Fast charge stations). The Kanata one is shown in the site plan (pg 19). As for the new Stittsville Shell, the charging station isn’t shown in the first Spa submission, but I was informed today that it will be in SPA2.

I’m still kind of disappointed that new gas stations are being built.

[DarthVader_1961]

Originally Posted by roger1818

I’m curious where you heard that? The only charging station at a Canadian Tire in Ottawa shown on PlugShare is the Electrify Canada one being built at Coventry Rd Canadian Tire. If true, at least it is reasonably close to the Queensway, shares a parking lot with a Tim Horton’s and it’s across the street from a McDonalds.

Speaking of new EV charging stations, I recently discovered that Shell is building new gas stations in Kanata (Terry Fox and Kanata ave) and Stittsville (Hazeldean @ Fringewood) and both will have 2 charging stations each (presumably DC Fast charge stations). The Kanata one is shown in the site plan (pg 19). As for the new Stittsville Shell, the charging station isn’t shown in the first Spa submission, but I was informed today that it will be in SPA2.

I’m still kind of disappointed that new gas stations are being built.

There is construction going on where the chip wagon used to be. I asked one of the hydro guys what was going on. He told me it was for charging stations. Will keep an eye on it.

[SkeggsEggs]

The new Metro opening in Kanata at Eagleson/Cope has some charging spots - not sure what type they are though.

[CanadaGoose]

Originally Posted by DarthVader_1961

Canadian tire in Bells Cornors is installing charging stations

To add to this rumour, it was mentioned by workers at the Tesla supercharger.

This charger is planned to be a Tesla supercharger.

————-
Also, glad to hear gas stations are getting on the EV trend.
I still use touch less car washes and wipe my windshield at gas stations.
——
Regarding Chip Wagon at Coventry Rd, those are electrify America chargers. I think they are 4 CCS and 1 chademo.
1 chademo meaning Tesla adapter owners and Nissan Leafs will fight for that one charger likely.

[Norman Bates]

Originally Posted by SkeggsEggs

The new Metro opening in Kanata at Eagleson/Cope has some charging spots - not sure what type they are though.

Does anyone know when the new Metro @ Cope Drive is opening?

[Truenorth00]

Fast charging isn't great for batteries though. I'm getting more annoyed at the lack of Level 2 chargers at malls, grocery stores, etc. That would help apartment and condo dwellers like me. And the other big hurdle in Ontario: the — with OnRoutes not having Level 3 chargers. The one place Level 3 chargers are truly appropriate.

[Mister F]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

Fast charging isn't great for batteries though. I'm getting more annoyed at the lack of Level 2 chargers at malls, grocery stores, etc. That would help apartment and condo dwellers like me. And the other big hurdle in Ontario: the — with OnRoutes not having Level 3 chargers. The one place Level 3 chargers are truly appropriate.

Sadly I don't see that changing as long as Doug FUD is premier.