_edited.png)
Transport Electrification
LOW CARBON COMMUNITIES
Community-Based Planning & Design for the Electrification of Transport Systems in Rural Municipalities
Engagement with stakeholders has been central to this project from the very beginning. By collaborating with rural municipalities, community organizations, provincial agencies, and transportation advocates, this initiative has ensured that local knowledge, priorities, and lived experiences shape the planning and design of rural electrification strategies.
​
The engagement process has included early sessions that helped inform the project’s development, as well as a series of structured workshops designed to guide the project’s implementation.
Pre-Project Engagement Sessions
Stakeholder Roundtable – November 2023
This virtual roundtable brought together municipal staff, transportation advocates, and provincial representatives to explore the potential for electrifying rural transportation in Nova Scotia. Participants emphasized the need for community-specific solutions and highlighted the importance of supportive policies, tourism links, and partnerships.
​
Key themes included:
-
The economic and tourism potential of destination charging
-
Infrastructure gaps and reliability concerns in rural areas
-
The need for broader access to EVs and charging for all residents
​
Rural Electrification Transport Priority Areas Roundtable – June 2024
A second virtual session helped refine the direction of the project and shape the funding proposal. Participants discussed roles, priorities, and the types of support needed to move forward with rural electrification.
​
Key outcomes included:
-
Identification of interested municipal partners (e.g. Yarmouth, Antigonish)
-
Recognition of the link between electrification and community transportation
-
Support for a regional engagement approach and knowledge-sharing network
Workshop #1 Electrification Strategies
May 16, 2025 | Halifax, NS
​
The first in-person workshop was held at the Halifax Central Library and brought together stakeholders from rural municipalities, transit organizations, non-profits, and provincial agencies. The session began with a presentation on the state of rural transport electrification in Nova Scotia, including findings from the NovaTRAC survey. Key issues identified included affordability, infrastructure gaps, and the need for community-based solutions.
​
Participants took part in activities to explore their perceptions of EVs, identify benefits of electrification, and suggest guiding principles and strategies to support a net-zero future. The idea of creating the Rural Electrification Strategies Alliance (RESAlliance) was introduced to build momentum and collaboration across the province.
​
Key Takeaways
-
Participants expressed strong interest in flexible and locally driven electrification solutions.
-
There was an emphasis on expanding public education and supporting municipal partnerships.
-
Transit electrification emerged as a recurring theme, signaling the need to explore it more deeply in future workshops.
​
This session laid the foundation for continued engagement and helped surface early insights into the opportunities and challenges facing rural electrification in Nova Scotia.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Upcoming Workshops
-
Workshop #2 – Yarmouth (July 15, 2025)
-
Workshop #3 – Colchester County (Fall 2025)​
​
These workshops will continue to gather feedback, refine draft strategies, and help build long-term community and regional partnerships to support implementation.
This project is supported by the Low Carbon Communities program through the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.