Alectra Utilities and City of Markham Support Ontario’s EV Goals

Alectra

January 18, 2018

Alectra Utilities and the City of Markham unveiled ‘Alectra Drive for the Workplace’, a two-year pilot program at the Markham Civic Centre that will assess the impact of daytime electric vehicle (EV) charging at workplaces on Ontario’s electricity grid. 

This first-of-its-kind initiative involves the use of 16 Level 2 EV charging stations, 10 outdoor and six indoor for program participants only, plus one Level 2 charging station for public use. 
By making EV charging stations more accessible, the Alectra Drive for the Workplace program will help reduce battery range anxiety for participating drivers, and support the province’s goal of increasing EV sales to five per cent of all new passenger vehicles sold by 2020. 

A unique feature of the Alectra Drive for the Workplace project is the Distributed Resource Management System (DRMS) provided by Schneider Electric, which will manage and minimize the electricity needed by the Markham Civic Centre and EV charging stations during peak hours while providing adequate charge to the electric vehicles. The DRMS will collect real-time data to optimize electricity loads to the EVs and building service equipment. 

“We are excited about launching the Alectra Drive for the Workplace program at the Markham Civic Centre,” said Brian Bentz, President and CEO, Alectra Inc. “Our business customers are seeking simple solutions to implement workplace EV charging systems that manage electricity demand and energy costs, while providing their employees with the technologies they need to confidently drive their EVs to and from work.” 

“We are proud that the Markham Civic Centre was selected as one of the locations to execute this important EV charging pilot program in Alectra Utilities’ service territory,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who is a member of the Alectra Board of Directors. “The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions aligns with the Greenprint, Markham’s Community Sustainability Plan, which targets net zero energy, water, waste and emissions by 2050.” 

“Canadians made it clear through our national energy dialogue, Generation Energy, that the move to electric vehicles and lower-carbon fossil fuel alternatives is necessary for the transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jim Carr. “This pilot program will make it easier for people to drive clean and will gather valuable data that can help bring us closer to a low-carbon transportation future.” 

“As the use of EVs becomes more common in Ontario, the increased load from vehicle charging will need to be managed in order to reduce costs to building owners and utilities,” said Terry Young, Vice-President, Policy, Engagement and Innovation, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). “Understanding the impact of daytime EV charging at workplaces will help us to manage peak demand on the provincial electricity grid and reduce future electricity infrastructure investments.” 

The Alectra Drive for the Workplace pilot program is being funded by the IESO Conservation Fund as well as by Natural Resources Canada who provided funding through its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstrations component of the Energy Innovation program. Alectra Utilities and its partners will fund the balance of the program through a combination of funding and in-kind services and products. The charging stations will be powered by Aviva Canada, who has generously covered the cost of electricity. Other corporate partners supporting the program include Schneider Electric, FleetCarma, Util-Assist, Robertson Bright, Plug’n Drive, Eguana Technologies, and FLO.  

https://www.oel.org/news/details/alectra-utilities-and-city-of-markham-to-support-ontario-s-ev-goals-with-innovative-charging-station

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Virtual Training for Electricians Available at Many IBEW Canada Training Centres Across the Country

    Virtual Training for Electricians Available at Many IBEW Canada Training Centres Across the Country

    June 23, 2025 Virtual Training for Electricians (VET) is now available at many IBEW Canada Training Centres nationwide — and more are coming online soon! Whether your centre is already equipped or in the process of setting up, this is a game-changing opportunity you won’t want to miss. Need assistance? Contact the NETCO team. What… Read More…

  • Designing for Demand: The Role of Transformers in a Resilient EV Future

    Designing for Demand: The Role of Transformers in a Resilient EV Future

    June 23, 2025 Transformers in the EV Charging Boom: Are We Ready for the Load? As electric vehicles (EVs) continue their rapid rise, one question looms over the energy sector, municipalities, and developers alike: Is our infrastructure truly ready for the surge in demand? From city streets to highway rest stops, new EV chargers are… Read More…

  • The Time is Now: An Industrial Energy Efficiency Action Plan

    The Time is Now: An Industrial Energy Efficiency Action Plan

    June 23, 2025 In a whitepaper released on June third, ABB has set out the scale of the challenge facing the global industrial sector and emphasizes the critical role of industrial energy efficiency in meeting rising energy demand while strengthening energy security & affordability and driving industrial competitiveness. With 45% of the world’s electricity converted… Read More…

  • Multi-Family Construction Intentions Weigh Down Residential Sector

    Multi-Family Construction Intentions Weigh Down Residential Sector

    June 23, 2025 In April, the total value of building permits issued in Canada decreased by $829.6 million (-6.6%) to $11.7 billion. British Columbia (-$1.2 billion) led this decrease in construction intentions, which was mitigated by Ontario (+$299.3 million). On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in April fell by 6.6% from the previous… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Stanpro Makes Significant Donation to Help Haven on the Queensway Move to a Larger Facility

    Stanpro Makes Significant Donation to Help Haven on the Queensway Move to a Larger Facility

    June 23, 2025 In an effort to provide essential resources to individuals and families in need in the GTA, EFC members once again stepped up to support Haven on the Queensway, a community resource centre in Etobicoke, ON. Earlier this year, Haven secured a new, larger location nearby its existing facility to meet growing demand… Read More…

  • Metalumen Manufacturing, Inc. Announces NRG INTENSI-T as New Sales Agency in Quebec

    Metalumen Manufacturing, Inc. Announces NRG INTENSI-T as New Sales Agency in Quebec

    June 23, 2025 Metalumen Manufacturing, Inc. is pleased to welcome NRG INTENSI-T as its new sales agency for the Quebec region. This partnership strengthens regional support and reflects a shared commitment to innovation and excellence. Since 1977, Metalumen has been designing, engineering, and manufacturing lighting products that blend functionality with design, offering luminaires tailored to… Read More…

  • IDEAL Electrical™ and BILT® Make it Easier to Learn Conduit Bending

    IDEAL Electrical™ and BILT® Make it Easier to Learn Conduit Bending

    June 23, 2025 Conduit bending – one of the hardest skills for professional electricians to master – is now easier than ever to learn, thanks to a first-of-its kind partnership between BILT, an app that has revolutionized step-by-step interactive instructions for DIYers and IDEAL Electrical, a 108-year old manufacturer of electrical tools and supplies for professional electricians…. Read More…

  • Introducing the New WAGO App: Your Jobsite Sidekick

    Introducing the New WAGO App: Your Jobsite Sidekick

    WAGO at your fingertips — scan the QR to get the app now. Stay connected with WAGO wherever you go. Download the WAGO App to access product details, documentation, configuration tools, as well as local distributors — all from your mobile device. Scan the QR code to get started on the App Store or Google… Read More…