B.C., Ottawa contribute to $8.7M fund for hundreds of EV charging ports in Greater Victoria

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers will soon be getting a boost from hundreds of public EV charging ports that will be installed in the Greater Victoria area after a combined investment of more than $8.7 million from the federal and provincial governments, the CRD, and the City of Victoria.

Details of the investment include the installation of approximately 576 Level-2 chargers, and 20 direct-current fast-charge (DCFC) EV charging ports in approximately 80 public locations across the capital region.

The CRD is undertaking regional coordination and close partnerships with local governments, including the City of Victoria, which will manage up to 424 of the Level 2 and all 20 of the DCFCs planned under the project.

According to a press release Monday, the increase in the number of public charging ports will make charging of electric vehicles more convenient for thousands of people in Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Island. This project will make it easier for people to opt for EVs that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and help British Columbians breathe cleaner air.

SEE ALSO: B.C. to add 500 public electric vehicle charging stations to fill gaps in network

Canada’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser said in a press release that this funding will have a significant impact on reducing climate change.

“Funding EV charging ports across the capital region is just one of the ways we’re giving vehicle owners more options to travel in greener, cleaner ways,” said Fraser.

CRD chair Colin Plant was part of the announcement released from the federal government Monday.

“We are proud to be working with the region’s local governments to increase public EV charging across the capital region. The network will help our residents more easily transition to EVs and reduce their transportation emissions now and in the future,” said Plant.

The federal government is contributing roughly $1.75 million to build the chargers, the B.C. government is providing $4.66 million, and the CRD and City of Victoria are providing $2.33 million.

There’s no word yet on when the new charging stations are expected to come online.

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