Setting up homes for EVs sensible

Ford not flipping on EV chargers in new homes, April 12

The Ford government’s position on the inclusion of roughed-in wiring for EV charging stations in new homes is disingenuous and shortsighted. An additional $500 cost will not deter the buyer of a new home, with average costs approaching $1 million in major markets. It is literally a tiny percentage of the overall cost, and will be amortized over 25-30 years. In comparison, pre-wiring during construction would eliminate more than half the cost of installing an EV charging station later.

It seems obvious that our government is happy to spend our money to entice EV component manufacturers, but totally unwilling to assist Ontarians in future-proofing their new homes, to reduce our carbon footprint and reduce the impact of our changing climate. Did past governments argue the same way against requiring electric dryer circuits in the building and electrical codes?

Doug Lewis, Clarington

The Ontario Conservatives won’t make homebuilders install plugs for electric cars. Putting another plug in a milliondollar house would have little or no effect on the price of the house. Builders put in plugs for microwaves, stoves and clothes dryers. Putting in one more plug for an electric car charger is not a big deal. It becomes a bigger deal if the plug has to be installed once the house is built. The homeowner still has to buy a charger to plug into the plug, but at least the house is not ripped apart to install the plug. Like many of the Ford government’s policies, this call does not make any sense.

Wolfe Erlichman, Godfrey, Ont.