More charging stations arrive

Kirk Penton - Jul 16, 2019 - Biz Releases

As the number of electric vehicles on B.C. highways continues to grow, so do the charging stations needed to power them.

The B.C. government announced it has completed 12 charging stations and has several more on the way. It’s all in an effort to relieve “range anxiety,” which is what electric drivers worry about often when they hit the road.

“We’re making it convenient for people who drive electric vehicles to travel across the province,” Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevena said in a press release. “Our government is committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Investing in green infrastructure is a necessity when it comes to tackling climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Nine of the 12 completed stations have direct-current fast chargers that allow drivers to do a complete charge in half an hour or less. The other three stops have level two charging stations.

Two of the new charging stations are in the Okanagan: one at the Loon Lake rest area on Hwy 97C and another just outside Osoyoos.

There are more than 1,700 charging stations across the province, and it is estimated that there are 20,000 electric vehicles on B.C.’s road.

Blue—completed stations; Red—stations coming this summer