The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:

Speaker, I am proud to inform this Honourable House about two electric vehicles being used by public service employees that will help our environment and lead to savings for taxpayers.

Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure purchased two Chevy Bolts for its fleet of vehicles that are available to employees to conduct their work in the provision of government services.

The vehicles do not use gasoline and do not emit exhaust or greenhouse gases, which is especially helpful for those of us who wait for our vehicles to warm in our cold Newfoundland and Labrador winters.

There are fewer maintenance costs, no fuel costs, and costs associated with engines, such as oil changes, are eliminated.

Speaker, there are charging stations at the Department of Innovation, Energy and Trade building on Elizabeth Avenue and Confederation Building and more are being installed.

There are also five charging stations at the new parking garage for hospital staff that was just completed at the Health Sciences Centre.

I had the opportunity to drive one of the e-vehicles last week when we visited the garage. The garage will be used by Eastern Health employees and result in more available parking spaces close to the Health Sciences Centre for patients and visitors.

Speaker, in Budget 2021, our government announced an Electric Vehicle Adoption Accelerator Program that will provide a $2,500 rebate to residents who purchase an electric vehicle.

It is encouraging to see more electric vehicles on the road here in Newfoundland and Labrador and we expect to see many more in the years to come.

Thank you, Speaker.