IKEA to install electric car-charging stations at all Canadian stores

Swedish home furnishings giant IKEA says it will have free electric car-charging stations at all 12 of its stores in Canada by the end of this summer.

IKEA announced at theClimate Summit of the Americas just outside Torontoon Thursdaythat it will install 60-amp charging stations at all of its Canadian stores by the end of August.

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"Charging will be provided to customers at no cost, on a first come first serve basis," the chain said.

Every location will get two chargers per storeto start with.

The infrastructure will be installed by Canadian energyfirmSun Country Highway, whichsays the type of charger it will be installing is compatible with every electric vehicle currently for sale in Canadaand is strong enough to rechargeapproximately 80 per centof an electric carbattery in under threehours.

IKEA says it is an ideal retailer for theinitiative because its stores tend to be located next to major highways, so they can help fight "range anxiety" among electric car drivers worried about running out of juice on a long trip.

The decision is part of the chain's overall move toward sustainability. Last year, IKEA achieved100 per cent renewable energy use in all of its stores through investments in things likea 46 megawatt wind farm inAlberta, almost 4,000 solar panels on the roofs of threeOntariostores, and a geothermal installation in Manitoba that is the province's largest.

"Electric vehicle charging stations are an important step on IKEA Canada's continuing journey towards sustainability," the company's sustainability managerBrendan Seale said.

Canadians make 25 million visits a yearto the retail chain's 12 stores across the country, Ikea said.