There's now EV charging stations between the Sault and Blind River

EV drivers, there's a new place to charge up in Algoma District. 

Thessalon this week hosted the grand opening of its newly installed EV charging stations at the Thessalon Marina.

Until now, there were no EV charging stations between Blind River and Sault Ste Marie.

"One of the hopes behind the installation of these EV charging stations is that it will attract users into the community, and in turn, they would explore Thessalon and its businesses while their vehicle is charging," says a news release from the town. "Not only will these stations be an investment in our environment but also an investment in our community’s economic development."

Below is the full news release from the town:

To celebrate Earth Day on Monday April 22, the Town of Thessalon hosted the grand opening of the newly installed EV Charging Stations at the Thessalon Marina. Mayor Bill Rosenberg welcomed those in attendance and gave some history behind the initiative and funding that led this project to completion.

“In 2019 the Town of Thessalon established the Sustainability Through Environmental Practices (S.T.E.P.) Committee with its mission being “to improve the local environmental quality and well-being of the community through education, leading by example, and refining the social and economic well-being of our citizens by creating a sustainable future,” said Mayor Rosenberg. “The Council and the S.T.E.P committee also aim to identify and implement new technologies that will assist the Town in becoming a greener community and reduce our environmental footprint.”

The implementation of EV Stations is also an opportunity to bring people into the community. Before Thessalon’s stations, there were no EV charging stations available between Blind River and Sault Ste Marie. One of the hopes behind the installation of these EV charging stations is that it will attract users into the community, and in turn, they would explore Thessalon and its businesses while their vehicle is charging. Not only will these stations be an investment in our environment but also an investment in our community’s economic development.

Our first EV station users came to us on their travels from Whistler, BC, when they found our chargers on an EV Charging Station App. The travellers stopped in at the Municipal Office as their car was running low on charge and they told staff if Thessalon didn’t have these stations they would have kept going and passed our town. Instead, they decided to come to Thessalon, they spent the night and then went shopping while their vehicle charged; showing us that these stations can and will bring new people to our town.

In 2023 the Town of Thessalon was grateful to be awarded a grant by Earth Day Canada and Aviva Canada Inc. that 100 per cent funded level 2 charging stations. Representatives from Earth Day Canada and Aviva Canda were unable to attend the event but sent in this statement:

"Even though Aviva Canada and Earth Day Canada could not have representatives with us today, they wanted to extend their congratulations on the completion of the Charged for Change EV infrastructure project. ‘We are thrilled to have been able to support the Town of Thessalon with this project to bring EV infrastructure to residents and visitors alike! Aviva Canada and Earth Day Canada are committed to helping build a sustainable future and one way of doing it is by taking steps to address the greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transportation sector that help accelerate the EV transition. It’s always inspiring to be able to work with and support communities across Canada who share the same vision, like Thessalon. Congratulations again and we wish you a very successful event today!’”

Sustainable vendors and organizations also attended the event and set up in the newly renovated Marina building. These guests included Maitland Ford, Cyndy King with Enjo Canada, Hearterra Inc., The Kensington Conservancy, The Invasive Species Centre, Ontario Clean Water Agency, Thessalon Horticulture Society and GFL. Thessalon resident Marc McKinnon from Maitland Ford congratulated the Town on the additions of the charging stations and also spoke to the importance of having these stations available and the opportunities it will open for Thessalon.

The addition of EV Charging Stations helps make Thessalon a greener, more accessible community. The Mayor, Council and Staff will continue to take advantage of opportunities, programs and initiatives that strive for a healthy environment.

Coming up, the Council of the Town of Thessalon has passed a resolution proclaiming May 14 as the Provincial Day of Action on Litter. Stay Tuned for details regarding the Town of Thessalon’s Clean up Event!