Watson wants electric car charger at city hall

Ottawa's mayor wants to build a charging station for electric vehicles at city hall.

Mayor Jim Watson says electric cars there are about 10 in Ottawa should be able to recharge for free at the station. Watson said he anticipates more electric vehicles on the roads in the coming years.

"The number of new electric vehicles that are coming out on the market, we better be prepared for it, because right now we aren't," Watson said.

"We have no recharge centres that are available to the public in Ottawa."

Watson said the charging station will be a pilot project, and won't cost taxpayers any money.

He said a U.S.-based company has approached him with designs for a four- to six-vehicle charging station, powered entirely by the sun.

Vehicle owners seek 'ubiquitous infrastructure'

Electric vehicle enthusiasts welcomed the announcement, but pointed out many new vehicles can plug into ordinary outlets and don't need the "high capacity" charger Watson is seeking.

"The idea that we need high capacity chargers I think is less important that making sure we have a more ubiquitous infrastructure for electric vehicles to be charged," said Darryl McMahon, president of Ottawa's electric vehicle council.

McMahon said installing heater outlets like those found in Canada's prairie city parking lots might do more to encourage people to consider an electric car.

The difference, McMahon said, is that high capacity chargers can fuel an electric vehicle in just 30 minutes.

Watson's next step is to bring the idea before the city's environment committee. If everything is approved the project could start taking shape by September.