On September 18, the OCH Foundation proudly celebrated the launch of a new electric vehicle (EV) carshare station at Mikinàk, expanding affordable and sustainable transportation options for tenants living in Ottawa Community Housing. This innovative program was made possible through a $250,000 investment from the RBC Foundation, with implementation supported by partners Ottawa Community Housing, Communauto and EnviroCentre.
The EV carshare allows tenants to access a vehicle when needed – whether for errands, appointments, work, or family visits – without the costs and responsibilities of car ownership. By sharing vehicles, residents collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion while saving money.
Mikinàk’s EV station, installed on August 1, builds on the success of OCH’s first EV carshare at 811 Gladstone, which over two years served 255 residents and logged more than 34,000 kilometres. As demand grows, OCH plans to expand access to EV carsharing across more communities, incorporating charging infrastructure in future developments.
“The launch of this EV carshare program at Mikinàk is an exciting milestone for our community”, said Traci Spour-Lafrance, Executive Director of the OCH Foundation. “By bringing sustainable, affordable transportation right to residents’ doorsteps, we’re making it easier for people to get where they need to go while reducing the costs of car ownership. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the vision and generosity of the RBC Foundation, the expertise of EnviroCentre, Communauto, and the OCH Conservation and Sustainability team. We’re deeply grateful for their partnership in making it a reality. More than just a convenience, this program showcases what’s possible when innovation and community come together, and it’s only the beginning. Together, we’re moving toward a greener, more connected future for everyone.”
Partners also emphasized the community and environmental impact of this program. Jennifer Stelzer, Director of Strategic Impact, EnviroCentre, noted that, “expanding access to electric mobility, tenants gain affordable, low-carbon, and community-driven transportation choices — proving that sustainability can be practical, inclusive, and within reach for all Ottawa residents.” Marco Viviani, Vice-president, strategic development, Communauto, remarked that, “At Communauto, our mission is to make sustainable mobility simple and accessible. Building on the success at 811 Gladstone, the addition of Mikinàk shows how shared electric mobility can be scaled to benefit more households and contribute to a cleaner Ottawa.”
Through initiatives like this, the OCH Foundation and Ottawa Community Housing continue to work collaboratively to improve residents’ quality of life while fostering sustainability, equity, and community connection.
