Waterloo region and area to receive electric vehicle charging stations

Long trips in an electric vehicleare coming sooner than you thinkand without the worry about where you'll be able to recharge your car's battery.

The Ontario government has announced500 charging stationsin Ontario by March. There will be 16located in Waterloo region and the surrounding area.

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They includetwo each inWaterloo, Kitchener andCambridge. Guelph gets two and there will be one south of the city in Aberfoyle.Stratford is also scheduled to receive one, while two others will be located along the 401 corridor.

Four other charging stations are planned for Wellington County: Two in Arthur, one in Harriston and one in Mount Forest.

Part of province's green investments

In total, there are 250 locations situated along major highways and in municipalities.

The government said Wednesday the $20 million investment in the charging stations comes from Ontario's $325 million Green Investment Fund, which supports projects that fight climate change.

The province provides up to $14,000 in incentives for electric vehicle buyers with a goal for electric cars to make up five per cent of new vehicle sales by 2020. It says there are nearly 7,000 electric vehicles currently on the roads in Ontario.

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Guelph MPP and Treasury Board PresidentLiz Sandals said the announcement was "great news for drivers."

"With more public charging stations available,electric vehicle owners can now plan longer trips with more confidence thata charging station is as readily available as a gas station is," Sandals said in a statement.