New electric vehicle fast-charging station opens in Annapolis Royal

Nova Scotia Power’s Ed Cullinan shows Annapolis Royal Mayor Amery Boyer how the new fast-charging station, which recently opened on Prince Albert Road, work. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentElectric vehicle users now have another option to charge their batteries in western Annapolis County.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentA 180 kilowatt fast-charging station with two charging ports opened about a month ago in Annapolis Royal with a ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place Oct. 29.Article contentArticle content“This charging station is wheelchair accessible, illuminated and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within a free parking lot in walking distance of all the town’s historic sites and everyday amenities,” Annapolis Royal town crier Christine Connolly said in declaring the site officially open.Article contentArticle contentConnolly said Annapolis Royal is one of the most visited historic towns in Canada and more and more people are travelling via electric vehicles.Article content Annapolis Royal town crier Christine Connolly welcomes people to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new electric vehicle fast-charging station Oct. 29. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentThe addition is part of a larger roll out of new fast connectors across the province. Nova Scotia Power, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Natural Resources Canada, is adding 60 new fast-charging ports in 15 communities across the province.Article content“It’s an initiative to connect communities with clean energy transportation,” said Ed Cullinan, senior manager of e-mobility and residential electrification for Nova Scotia Power.Article contentThe Annapolis Royal site is the 10th station opened this year. Sites in Windsor, Yarmouth, Membertou and We’koqma’q opened in recent months.Article contentThere are five more to come in late 2025 or early 2026. Construction is underway in Ingonish and Bridgewater while the other three will be located in Liverpool, Antigonish County and Cheticamp.Article contentTogether, the stations cost $11 million.Article contentThey will “allow customers to travel all over Nova Scotia and get a charge in about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on their vehicle and what they’re doing that day,” Cullinan said.Article contentHe said the Annapolis Royal site checked all the boxes the utility was looking for.Article content“We really couldn’t be happier with this location,” he said. “We’re really excited about how customers are going to react, especially in the important summer tourism season.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe charging station is located along Highway 1 next to the Annapolis Royal Marsh trailhead.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentThere have been EV chargers on St. George Street in front of Fort Anne National Historic Site for more than a decade. Mayor Amery Boyer said there are vehicles plugged in there all day and noted the new technology at the fast-charging station will be greatly appreciated by EV users.Article content“For years, we’ve been hearing that people want fast chargers,” she said.Article contentShe anticipated it will also be beneficial to businesses in the town as the chargers will attract EV users to the community.Article content Annapolis Royal Mayor Amery Boyer, left, addresses the crowd gathered for the official opening of a new electric vehicle fast-charging station on Oct. 29. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentBoyer explained town staff applied for fast chargers a few years ago.Article content“Nothing came of it or so they thought,” she said.Article contentEarlier this year, town officials heard Nova Scotia Power was working on a funding application for chargers. The town only had two days to apply.Article content“Because the previous application had been made, staff was able to respond quickly to the request and propose this site for the chargers,” Boyer said. “Had they not planned, they couldn’t have seized on the opportunity that quick.”