The Government of B.C. is partially funding 454 new electrical vehicle charging stations, which will be built by businesses, community groups and local governments across the province by March 2013.

The charging stations will go up at key locations like city halls, shopping centres and hotels, explained Environment Minister Terry Lake from the Brentwood Town Centre parking lot on Wednesday — one of 71 groups that have been approved for 75 per cent funding to install 286 electric fuelling stations.

"We're providing more accessibility for electric vehicle owners so that they can have the convenience of charging up at Brentwood Town Centre here in Burnaby and of course different locations across the province," said Lake.

The province is also distributing $182,416 among 12 local governments to help them choose locations for another 168 public charging stations.

In April, the Ministry of Environment announced a $2.7 million Community Charging Infrastructure Fund to promote the use of electric transportation.

The ministry says 210 electric vehicles have been sold or leased since the province introduced a $5,000 credit program last November.

The 71 organizations to install the 286 level two charging stations and the number of charging stations to be installed are as follows: