Launch of BC Hydro's Seven Electric Vehicle Fast-Chargers on Vancouver Island

SIDNEY, BC, Aug. 21, 2018 /CNW/ - Electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles decrease greenhouse gas emissions and in some cases can significantly reduce fuel costs. Canada continues to make strategic investments to help Canadians make greener choices and to encourage widespread adoption of electric and alternative fuel vehicles. 

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, was in Sidney, B.C., today to celebrate the launch of BC Hydro's seven electric vehicle fast-chargers on Vancouver Island. They will allow electric vehicle drivers to travel between Ucluelet, Campbell River and Sidney without range anxiety.

The seven locations are now open to the public:

• Nanaimo Superstore ? Nanaimo
• Qualicum Foods ? Qualicum
• No Frills Foods ? Port Alberni
• Pacific Rim Visitor Centre ? Ucluelet
• Courtenay Superstore ? Courtenay
• Campbell River Community Centre ? Campbell River
• Sidney Municipal Lot ? Sidney

These electric vehicle fast-chargers are part of Natural Resources Canada's $1.05-million investment to BC Hydro for a total of 21 stations through the first phase of the Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative to help expand the province's electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The funding builds on the Government's $182.5-million total investment to grow Canada's electric and alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure so that using electric and alternative fuel vehicles is easier and more convenient for Canadians. Canada looks forward to showcasing these and other clean technology solutions when it welcomes the world's energy leaders to Vancouver, British Columbia, in May 2019 for the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation meetings.

Through Canada's national energy dialogue, Generation Energy, Canadians made it clear that building electric vehicles and lower-carbon fossil fuel alternatives is not a luxury but a necessity for Canada's low-carbon future. Our government continues to support green infrastructure projects that will create jobs, advance Canada's clean future and help us realize our domestic and international climate change goals.

Quotes

"We are paving the way to a low-carbon future by investing in green infrastructure. The opening of these stations is an important step toward lowering emissions and making electric and alternative fuel vehicles a viable travel option for British Columbians."

Amarjeet Sohi
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

"We are proud to be making clean transportation more accessible for British Columbians by adding to one of Canada's largest networks of charging and fuelling stations. Later this fall, our government will be releasing a Clean Growth Strategy which will integrate the Province's climate change, energy and economic development goals, including actions to further increase the usage of zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure."

George Heyman
British Columbia's Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy

"BC Hydro is excited to add seven new stations on Vancouver Island to our growing system of fast-chargers across the province. Electric vehicles are a great option for British Columbians looking to reduce their impact on the environment because we generate 98 percent clean electricity. They also help lower fuel costs for drivers by 75 percent."  

Chris O'Riley
President and Chief Operating Officer, BC Hydro

Related Information

Government of Canada Supports Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure in B.C.

Electric Charging and Alternative Fuelling Stations Locator

Go Green With Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstrations

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada