Award winners exemplify innovation needed to accelerate EV adoption in Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia | Mi’kma’ki – September 12, 2024. Plug’n Drive and Electricity Canada are pleased to announce that Electric Vehicle Network and PowerON and are the winners of the 2024 Canadian Electric Vehicle (EV) Awards, presented at EVVE 2024 in Halifax, Canada’s biggest electric vehicle event held annually by Electric Mobility Canada, the hosting sponsor of the EV Awards program.
Electric Vehicle Network is the winner of the Mike Brigham Used Electric Vehicle Dealership Award, for car dealerships excelling in the sale and promotion of used fully electric or plug-in hybrid electric cars.
The Electric Vehicle Network was founded in Mississauga, ON, in 2018 by Darryl Croft and Johnny Beckett, who were present in Halifax to receive the award.
“We believe that the path to a more sustainable future depends not only on improving electric transportation itself, but making EVs easy, accessible, and affordable – for anyone.” says Mr. Croft. “Since we started EV Network, we’ve sold hundreds of EVs of every make, model, and configuration, and we have been training our after-market staff to safely work and retool these incredible vehicles.”
“Furthermore, we have developed Rent Electric,” adds Mr. Beckett, “an innovative EV Rental and EV Carshare platform, that provides thousands of unique EV experiences across several locations.”
With an eye towards the future, EV Network is launching a new retail location in the Woodside community of Dartmouth, NS. Specializing in the acquisition of high-quality electric cars for rental and sale, this new retail location will assist the local community in increasing EV adoption across the board.
PowerON is the winner of the Tom Mitchell Electric Vehicle Leadership Award, for Canadian energy companies demonstrating outstanding leadership in the promotion or advancement of electric vehicle adoption.
PowerON Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), is at the forefront of transit and commercial fleet electrification. It is being honoured for its work with Canada's largest municipal transit agency, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), to support the TTC’s transition to a fully electrified bus fleet. The TTC's electrification program is North America's largest and most ambitious single transit electrification initiative. PowerON's role includes designing, building, operating, maintaining, and owning all electrification infrastructure, such as chargers, battery energy storage systems (BESS), backup generation, energy management systems and solar, etc.
“Many years ago, while leading our parent company OPG, Tom [Mitchell] had the vision to see our electric future. Today, both OPG and PowerON continue Tom’s legacy as we work to electrify life in one generation,” says Keegan Tully, PowerON President and CEO, who was present in Halifax to receive the award.
“PowerON and our fleet partners are leading some of the most ambitious heavy-duty electric vehicle charging projects in North America,” adds Mr. Tully. “By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, we are making a difference today and also paving the way for tomorrow. We are grateful for the recognition and will continue working to leverage Canada’s clean electricity supply to reduce emissions, fight climate change, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment for all Canadians.”
Presenting the awards were Electricity Canada President and CEO, Francis Bradley and Plug’n Drive President and CEO, Cara Clairman.
“Canada has one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world. It powers our homes, it powers our businesses, and increasingly, it powers our vehicles,” says Mr. Bradley. “Electricity Canada is proud to be a presenting sponsor of this year’s EV Awards, celebrating the EV dealers and electricity companies that are working hard to accelerate the electrification of transportation in Canada.”
“The global shift toward electrification is accelerating and we are celebrating those who are making it possible for Canadians to choose electric mobility,” says Ms. Clairman. “Innovators like the EV Network and PowerON are excelling at providing new ways for Canadians to embrace electric transportation in their lives.”
“We congratulate this year’s EV Awards Program winners and applaud their innovation and pioneering work,” says Kurt Sampson, CAA Atlantic Zero-Emission Vehicle Advocate. “We are proud to be a sponsor of the Canadian Electric Vehicle Awards Program which celebrates those who are leading the way to accessible and affordable EV options for Canadians.”
The winners were selected by an external judging committee comprised of Canadian EV experts drawn from industry, non-profit organizations, government, and the media.
Read more about the Electric Vehicle Awards Program.
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About Electricity Canada
Founded in 1891, Electricity Canada (formerly the Canadian Electricity Association) is the national forum and voice of the evolving and innovative electricity business in Canada. The Association supports, through its advocacy efforts, the regional, national, and international success of its members. Electricity Canada members generate, transmit, and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential, and institutional customers across Canada. Members include integrated electric utilities, independent power producers, transmission and distribution companies, power marketers, manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology, and services. Electricity Canada is the national voice for sustainable electricity for its members and the customers they serve as the country works towards a Net Zero by 2050 future. Visit www.electricity.ca.
About CAA
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is a federation of eight Clubs providing over 7 million Members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, Member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its Members and all Canadians, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure, and consumer protection. Visit www.caa.ca.
About Plug’n Drive
Plug’n Drive is a not-for-profit organization accelerating EV adoption in Canada to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of an electrified transportation sector. Our vision is to help Canada achieve its goal of 100% electric vehicle sales by 2035 or earlier. Since 2011, we have made incredible strides in our mission through a variety of consumer education programs, including the launch of the world’s first Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre (EVDC) in Toronto, the Electric Vehicle Roadshow event series as well as the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET). Our corporate partnerships include EV auto manufacturers, utilities, EV charger manufacturers, and others. For more information about Plug’n Drive’s programs, services, and events, visit plugndrive.ca and sign up for our newsletter. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
For more information please contact:
Alan Downward,
Communications and Project Coordinator
Plug’n Drive
(647) 449-9715