The list of products carried by Peavey Mart is long and varied. Now you can add electricity, and at an unbeatable price.
Red Deer-based Peavey Industries Ltd., which operates Peavey Mart stores across Western Canada and MainStreet Hardware in Blackfalds, has installed electric car charging stations at its outlets in Red Deer, Blackfalds, Medicine Hat and Regina. It’s preparing to do the same at several other Peavey Mart locations, and hopes eventually to have the equipment available throughout its retail network.
“What our goal is, and what we’ve committed to, is being the first retailer in Canada to install these at all of our locations,” said Jest Sidloski, training and development manager with Peavey Industries.
The company has partnered with Sun Country Highway — a Canadian business that provides products and services for the electric vehicle industry — to install the chargers, which will be available to users at no charge.
Sidloski explained that Peavey Industries wants to promote and encourage the use of green energy. Among those who have already taken advantage of the service at the Red Deer Peavey Mart are Capri Rasmussen and Jason Auch, former Red Deer residents who now live in Calgary.
The married couple stopped in the city on Friday to boost the battery of their bright orange Tesla while en route to the Future of Transportation Symposium and Car Show in Edmonton. Rasmussen said the Red Deer station is ideally situated for electric motorists travelling between Alberta’s two biggest cities.
Although a full charge can take hours to complete, depending on the model, a partial charge using Peavey Mart’s high-powered equipment can be done relatively quickly, said Sidloski.
“There’s lots in that area of town they can walk to while they’re charging up,” he said of how users can spend their time while waiting.
The self-serve chargers are expected to be available for use 24/7, he added.
Peavey Industries and Sun Country Highway will showcase the Red Deer Peavey Mart charging station on June 7, with a Tesla sports car and several other electric cars — and perhaps even an electric truck — expected to be on site. Sidloski said a number of dealers have been invited to participate, so it should be a good opportunity to learn about electric vehicles.
“We’re hoping to have a lot of people turn out to that.”
The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and should continue for several hours.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com