Electric vehicle charging stations are coming to North Bay and Temiskaming Shores as part of a new province-wide network being developed by Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation (OPG).

Media releases from both Hydro One and OPG say they have launched a new company, Ivy Charging Network, which aims to create the “largest and most connected electric vehicle fast-charger network” in the province.

The company is expected to install 160 Level 3 fast-chargers at 73 locations across Ontario, each less than 100 kilometres apart from one another on average, by the end of 2021.

Natural Resources Canada has provided an $8-million repayable contribution, through its Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative, to help build the network.

The Ivy Charging Network opened its first location in Huntsville in September and an official public launch took place Friday at the 2020 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.

“We play a critical role in energizing life in communities across Ontario. This fast-charger network will create a better and brighter future through a greener transportation sector while meeting the evolving energy needs of our customers and all Ontarians,” Hydro One vice-president of customer service and Ivy Charging Network co-president Imran Merali said.

“By entering this growing market in partnership with OPG, Hydro One is expanding our product and service offering to deliver greater value for our customers, employees, communities and shareholders.”

Ivy Charging Network is a limited partnership owned equally by Hydro One and OPG.

The company has chosen Greenlots, a member of the Shell Group, as its service provider to operate and manage the network.

“Having delivered the world’s largest single climate change action to date with the closure of our coal stations, OPG’s clean power serves as a strong platform to electrify carbon-heavy sectors like transportation,” fellow Ivy Charging Network co-president and OPG vice-president of corporate business development and strategy Theresa Dekker said.

“That’s why we’re so pleased to be partnering with Hydro One on an initiative that will broaden the benefits of electrification and provide a reliable, integrated network while ensuring no additional cost to ratepayers.”

Nipissing-Timiskaming Liberal MP Anthony Rota applauded the news on Twitter, while Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains said the federal government is committed to supporting projects that will bring the country closer to a “competitive, zero-emissions transportation sector.”

He added that the network will ensure “Canadian-made solutions are at the forefront of solving the global climate change crisis, leaving our children and grandchildren with a healthier planet and cleaner air to breathe.”