Nova Scotia Utility Review Board denied Nova Scotia Power EV fast charging network project

In August 2017, I published the article Nova Scotia Power Connecting Electric Vehicles Coast to Coast with Fast Charging Network.

Nova Scotia Power announced today it will install 12 electric vehicle fast charging stations across the province, as part of a pilot project to study the impact and usage of the network on the electrical system. The network will be ready for use in spring of 2018.

Turns out that this EV fast chargers network had to be approved by Nova Scotia Utility Review Board.  The final documents were submitted on November 10, 2017.

On January 4, 2018 the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board denied the project.

Here is the detailed decision.

The Board conclusions are :

• The proposed capital and operating investment in the ownership of the EV charging stations is not for the distribution or furnishing of electrical energy.
• NSPI does not need to be the owner of the EV charging stations in order to measure the impact on the system and ensure there are no adverse impacts to other customers.
• The approval of capital work order CI# 50295 is denied.
• An order will be issued accordingly.

This is bad news for the future of EV in Nova Scotia.  The presence of a fast charging network is among the most important solutions for the integration of electric vehicles in Canada.

So fellow EV owners, if you planned on a summer vacation in Nova Scotia because of the fast charging network announcement, think again.  The project won’t happen unless the politicians find another way or a private company decides to invest in Nova Scotia.