The B.C. government is making charging easier for owners of electric vehicles (EVs) on south Vancouver Island.
A total of three new EV fast-charging stations will be added to south Vancouver Island, announced the province on Thursday.
The stations are planned to be completed and open by summer 2021, according to the province. They include two stations at 10200 McDonald Park Rd. in North Saanich and one new station at 2680 James St., in Duncan.
The province says these latest chargers are the result of a partnership between Natural Resources Canada, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation and BC Hydro. They also say the chargers are part of the province’s target to reach 100 per cent new light-duty EVs by 2040, which involves making EVs more affordable and convenient.
“Our government is working hard to support British Columbians who want to make greener choices,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South. “These new fast-charging stations will make it even more convenient for people here in Greater Victoria who want to make the transition to an electric vehicle.”
The new stations will join 11 other stations added across the Island. The province says the chargers allow for about 250 km worth of charge per hour, and the extra stations will make longer travel distances easier for EVs.
B.C. has one of the largest public charging networks in Canada including 2,500 charging stations at the end of 2020, according to the province. They also say B.C. has seen the highest uptake rates of EVs with more than 54,000 registered.
The Government of Canada has invested more than $1 billion to make EVs more affordable and accessible, according to the statement. This includes building charging stations coast-to-coast and providing incentives of up to $5,000 to help Canadians purchase EVs.
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Justin Waddell
