The Rural Municipality of Hanover has received a grant that will help support electric vehicles.
Earlier this month, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announced a $500,000 investment for the installation of 51 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in our province. The money comes through the Climate Action Fund.
Moyes says these projects help support the expansion of Manitoba's EV charging network and collaborative planning for regional green transportation initiatives. He adds the new EV charging stations complement the Manitoba government's vision to grow the use of zero-emission vehicles in Manitoba through accessible and reliable EV infrastructure.
The RM of Hanover has been awarded $8,900 for two Level II chargers. Reeve Jim Funk notes the charging stations will go up at their municipal office along Highway 52 as well as at their Public Works site. He notes the intent is to one day use these for electric vehicles that are part of the municipality's fleet.
According to Funk, this is a 50/50 grant, meaning Hanover will pay the remainder of what is needed to install the infrastructure. He notes there are sometimes grants available to purchase electric vehicles and the municipality will now watch for these grants in anticipation of buying some vehicles in the future.
Funk says he anticipates the charging stations will be installed at some point this year.
Meanwhile, he says electric vehicles are a new concept for the municipality. In 2023, Hanover installed charging stations at both the Mitchell Community Centre and Blumenort Soccer Park. Funk says he does not think those charging stations are used very much.