Yorkdale Shopping Centre features Canada’s first and only Tesla electric vehicle store.

“Electric vehicles are no longer a novelty, they’re becoming a way of life,” said Yorkdale General Manager Anthony Casalanguida. “Our Tesla store is the company’s highest traffic location in the world. We want all electric vehicle drivers to be able to plug and charge the vehicles at their convenience and shop or dine at their leisure.”

The mall’s management said the new charging stations are publicly available and capable of charging all electric vehicle models.

“Electric car sales are growing strong, with almost 2500 vehicles on the road today in Canada and estimates of over 100,000 in Canada by 2020.  With new models coming out from almost every manufacturer in the next two years, low fueling costs of about one sixth the price of gas and reducing CO2 emissions by as much as 90%, the electric car is poised to surge in popularity” says Cara Clairman, President and CEO of Plug’n Drive, a non-profit organization that is advocating a switch to electric cars for their environmental and economic benefits.

The Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are available on a first come, first serve basis.  These parking spots are available at a rate of $2 an hour to a maximum of a $5 session. The fee pays for the use of the spot and the electricity is free.

Drivers can pay for parking in these stations with Charge Pass Cards available through Charge Point or with Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover Cards with RFID technology.

The charging station installed at Yorkdale are single output stations that provide 7.2 kilowatt (208/240 volts at 30 amps) Level 2 charging and are designed for the North American marketplace. An 18-foot cable makes it easy to charge any electric vehicle.

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With the goal of meeting the growing need for Electric Vehicle charging infrastructures, this new partnership will allow the entire federation of AAA clubs to access turnkey charging solutions.

GoSpace LLC transforms traditional parking spaces into “GoSpaces” by offering a choice of several electric vehicle charger brands, and can provide assistance with zoning issues, perform certified installations in most parking lots and garage spaces.

“Public accessible places to charge plug-in electric vehicles in North America are increasing but there is still a need in many areas,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA national vice president, Automotive, Financial Services and E-Business. “AAA chose GoSpace for its comprehensive project coordination including permitting and engineering in this emerging area of automotive technology.”

GoSpace said it will work with AAA clubs across the country to be in the forefront of the EV scene. The company has helped oversee the transformation of public mindset in adapting to EV charging stations since its inception in 2009.  Those interested in adding a charging station can choose peripheral items such as pavement striping and signage, as well as solar lighting and solar canopies. GoSpace said it can also incorporate air machines that help keep tire pressure at the optimum level, thus providing better traction, mileage, and safety.

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ChargePoint is holding its first annual electric vehicle charging station holiday photo contest.

Until Friday, Dec. 21, EV drivers and EV charging station owners can e-mail photos of their favorite EV charging stations for a chance to win a year of free EV charging.

The EV charging station photos will also be featured on ChargePoint’s new EV charging station photo array and in ChargePoint’s CES booth.

Photos will be judged in seven different categories: Holiday; Scenic; Signage; Retail; MDU; Parking facilities; and Other.

Each day of the contest, Team ChargePoint judges will post the best of the incoming entries in the EV Charging Station Photo of the Day section of the company’s Web site.

Winners will be announced on Dec. 28, 2012.

“ChargePoint is world’s largest EV charging station network with more than 10,000 EV charging spots in the United States alone,” said Pat Romano, president and CEO at ChargePoint. “We understand the pride and loyalty EV drivers have and know there is a lot of affection for their EV charging stations. We hope EV drivers and our customers will take a moment this busy holiday season and send us their favorite photos. Good luck to you all!”

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The province wants to help electric car owners install charging stations at their homes and businesses to encourage sustainable transportation and fight climate change.

Beginning in January 2013, eligible homeowners and businesses can receive a rebate of 50 percent (to a maximum of $1,000) of the total purchase and installation cost of an electric vehicle charging station.

This new program is on top of the already established Electric Vehicles Incentive Program launched in July 2010, offering rebates between $5,000 and $8,500 toward the purchase or lease of new plug-in hybrid electric or battery electric vehicles.

The charging stations program is open to all homeowners and businesses who have received a provincial electric vehicle rebate.

“We know Ontarians are making greener choices every day” said Bob Chiarelli, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation. “And our government is making steady progress to help people choose environmentally friendly vehicles that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help keep our air clean for generations to come.”

According to Plug’N Drive Ontario – a coalition of government, electricity companies, NGOs, researchers and automakers – the majority of electric vehicle owners do their charging at home and at night, allowing them to take advantage of time-of-use pricing during non-peak consumption periods.

“Plug’n Drive is excited about this government program” said Cara Clairman, president and CEO, Plug’n Drive Ontario. “Evidence shows that EV drivers will do about 80 percent of their charging at home. Charging at night helps drivers take advantage of time-of-use pricing and uses surplus electricity that is low-emitting and locally made. A home charging incentive removes part of the cost barrier and helps Ontario maximize the environmental and economic benefits of EVs.”

The government said full criteria and details for the rebate program will be available Jan. 1, 2013 at its Web site.

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