The CEO of ChargeStop Technologies, which opened a new electric vehicle charging station at Whyte Avenue and 99 Street, said it's "a gas station without gas," and the first of its kind in Canada.
Tim Murphy said there are other EV charging locations across Canada, but they are often connected to existing gas stations, making EV drivers feel secondary. "There's no Wi-Fi for them, and if they even want to clean their windshield, they have to go to a gas stall and borrow a squeegee," he said.
The new station, which opened Sept. 12, features five charging bays, Level 3 chargers capable of charging most EVs to an 85% charge in 20 minutes, and an app to book and pay for chargers that was built in partnership with Punchcard Systems. The station building is a modular unit from Nisku-based Rockbox Structures that has seating for EV owners to meet one another as they wait for their car to charge. Murphy said he's aimed to create an experience that's more refined than the typical gas station, and has partnered with Pinocchio Ice Cream and MealKraft for offerings, along with selling organic beef jerky, salad, and Seattle's Best Coffee.
Murphy said he chose Strathcona for ChargeStop's first location because it has many EV owners. ChargeStop's research suggests 26,000 vehicles drive past the 99 Street station daily. The lot the station now sits on was empty, too, allowing the company to design it as needed. Using a modular unit for the building kept costs low. Murphy also said installing charging units is easier than building a gas station since there's no need to dig out a reservoir for a gasoline tank.
ChargeStop received funding for the station through Ottawa's Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which they're already using to secure funding for 12 additional stations. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and Edmonton-Centre MP Randy Boissonnault attended the station's ribbon-cutting ceremony, while Heather McPherson, MP for Edmonton Strathcona, welcomed it in a news release. Murphy confirmed the company has not received provincial funding.
The federal money is not only to open the first station but to build ChargeStop into a cross-country franchise, Murphy said. "Our goal is to have 20 ChargeStop stations underway or open by the end of 2025," he said, adding it's important the company remains rooted in Edmonton. The 99 Street station took roughly 18 months to build, but Murphy anticipates others will come together in as little as nine months. The Edmonton International Airport is a prime spot for a bigger version of the station, Murphy said, with drivers coming and going and rental companies providing a steady stream of EVs. Murphy said the company is also open to working with building owners for stations.
Outside of Edmonton, Murphy said the company is contemplating locations in Red Deer, Canmore, and Calgary. It has also signed agreements with developers in Vancouver, and is eyeing locations in Kelowna and Kamloops. The third market Murphy wants to expand to is Ontario, where he anticipates 50% of ChargeStop's customers will eventually be.
Murphy said the reaction to the station has exceeded expectations. "I was a bit surprised by the enthusiasm and the positivity of the responses that we're getting, which I'm very happy about," he said. Murphy said the process of educating people on how to use the station and what it is has been worth it, as the station is already seeing repeat customers. "It's not really something you can explain to people over a social media post," he said. "They really need to come in and experience it for themselves."
As of January 2025, drivers who own EVs will be charged $200 per year in a new tax the United Conservative Party government introduced, aimed at funding road improvements. Alberta is one of four Canadian provinces that do not offer EV incentives, according to Canadian Automobile Association research. Incentives can be worth up to $4,000 for EV purchases in British Columbia and up to $8,000 in Quebec, the CAA research suggests.
Photo: The ChargeStop team, along with Mayor Amarjeet Sohi (second from left) and Edmonton-Centre MP Randy Boissonnault (third from left) pose at the first ChargeStop station's opening on Sept. 12. (Supplied)