The City of St. John’s has activated the first locations for level 2 public electric vehicle charging stations.

There are two chargers each at the Paul Reynolds Centre, the Farmers Market on Freshwater Road and the Southlands Community Centre on Teakwood Drive.

Level 2 charging stations will also be installed at Churchill Square, Metrobus, City Hall, and the new H.G.R. Mews Centre once construction is complete.

Councillor Ian Froude, the lead on sustainability, says placing charging stations in public places makes it easier for the community to contribute to the plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Chargers will also be installed at city facilities to enable them to convert to plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Newfoundland Power, through its Take Charge program, is a partner.

An hourly fee of $1.50 will be charged. It applies in addition to the parking fee where such fees exist.

The cost to the city is about $265,000.