Students enrolled in Trent’s Communications and Critical Thinking program will work alongside municipal staff to develop an EV Strategy, looking at municipal best practices for the adoption, use and maintenance of electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations. It will also examine the role that Clarington will have in providing EV charging infrastructure and services in the community.

For the students who are part the project, the study is part of the capstone course in the final year of the Communications and Critical Thinking degree, and the resulting EV Strategy will be incorporated into Clarington’s Climate Action Plan, which is currently in the early stages of development.

“Trent University Durham GTA is excited to work with the Municipality of Clarington and support the development of an Electric Vehicle strategy. We are thrilled that relevant and innovative projects such as this are available to our students. These hands-on, experiential learning opportunities are a crucial part of their post-secondary education,” said Dr. Scott Henderson, dean and head, Trent University Durham GTA. “The ability to gain career preparation while contributing to a local plan that addresses a need as urgent as the Climate Change Action Plan is invaluable.”

The development of an EV Strategy is a proactive approach to a growing trend and societal shift to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are looking at a variety of ways that the Municipality can reduce its environmental footprint, and are delighted to work with student researchers to help attain that goal,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.

“By developing an EV strategy, the Municipality is being proactive and planning for its future,” said Doran Hoge, Clarington’s Climate Change Response Coordinator. “We hope that this strategy will also build awareness within the community about the energy-saving options available to residents.”

There are already many EV options available and support for electric vehicles is growing across all levels of government. The federal government has created a Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, in conjunction with the provinces and territories and in consultation with indigenous people. One of the key goals of this Framework is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels. To achieve this goal by 2030, the federal government is providing funding for capital projects to develop EV charging infrastructure and offering rebates on newly purchased electric vehicles.