By John Francis
MNBP Council’s March 28 Meeting included a proposal/contract from ChargerQuest, a company that installs and operates electric vehicle charging stations.
They propose to put six Level 3 (the most powerful) charging stations in the Community Centre parking lot in Tobermory. Their preferred location is the south corner of the lot, right beside the Rotary parkette.
Councillors noted that those are the parking spaces people use when they are having a family picnic. They also wondered whether the charging station’s infrastructure might be intrusive or unsightly.
They deferred the proposal to a future meeting.
I can sympathize. It’s hard for people who don’t own EVs to understand exactly what EV owners need. Quick facts: A Level 1 charger would plug into a wall socket — it would take 13 hours to add 100 km of range. A Level 2 “overnight” charger can add 100 km of range in about 2.6 hours. A Level 3 charger can add 100 km in about 9 minutes.
I contacted half a dozen of MNBP’s electric vehicle owners, to get their reactions to the proposal.
Q) Who exactly would need the Level 3 chargers?
“The chargers will not be used by locals,” Glen Estill points out. “They will charge at home — it is cheaper and more convenient.” All respondents agreed that long distance travellers (especially those arriving or departing on the ferry) would be grateful for a quick charge — the nearest Level 3 chargers are Owen Sound to the south and Espanola to the north. People who come for the day (“daytrippers”) would not necessarily need a charge. If they have come less than 200 km and have an overnight charger at their home/cottage/tourist accommodation, they would not need a charge. Only those coming up from the GTA or other cities would need a charge to get home. If they are staying all day, a Level 2 charger would serve their needs; otherwise they would need Level 3.
Bill Caulfeild-Browne adds some perspective on this issue: “I make a point of shopping or dining in towns that have chargers — many are free. Southampton, Kincardine and Goderich all spring to mind. They are only Level 2s but it’s enough to top off while one eats. Last Friday we ate at the Walker House while plugged in and the hour gave us another 50 km of range.” MNBP businesses: take note.
Glen Estill points out that many MNBP accommodations have installed Level 2 chargers using funding arranged by the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association. This will reduce the need for their customers to charge in Tobermory.
Q) Do EV chargers need to be in a high-visibility location or will EV owners find them wherever they are?
EV owners all have the PlugShare app, mostly built into the nav system in their cars. They will find the chargers, wherever they are. If they are travelling, they will also know EXACTLY where they can get their next charge.
So an out-of-the-way location would be fine.
Q) Do we need six Level 3 chargers?
John Greenhouse notes that six Level 3 chargers “may be overkill at this stage” but points out that “as many as 1 in 5 cars produced in 2025 may be EVs (NOT hybrids). So overbuilding EV infrastructure today will probably not be a waste in the longer term.”
Glen Estill points out that Wiarton and Hepworth — or even Ferndale — might be more logical places to put Level 3 chargers. If (when) chargers are installed at those locations, it might reduce demand in Tobermory.
I know many of us are wondering whether it is practical to travel in an EV.
“I have owned a Tesla Model 3 (the cheap one…) for 4 years,” says Glen Estill, “and during that time have had several road trips ranging from Cape Breton, to Florida, to North Carolina, as well as throughout SW Ont.” John and Jane Greenhouse took their Model 3 to California in 2019. So yes — it can be done and it’s getting easier every year.
