The Province of British Columbia continues to invest toward an ambitious goal: to electrify the highways of B.C. and ensure that every community has access to a fast-charging station.
The government earmarked $30 million in its 2024 budget to add more than 500 public charging stations, building on roughly 5,000 currently in place today.
“We know that British Columbians want to have confidence they will be able to charge up easily when travelling across the province,” Josie Osborne, who serves as Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, stated in March.
In terms of infrastructure, the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program accelerates charging-station adoption by providing up to 50% of the cost of equipment and installation. As a result of the program, B.C. has one of the largest public charging networks in Canada.
B.C. also has the highest rate of EV adoption in the country, data shows. In 2023, approximately 23% of light-duty vehicle sales were EVs, an increase from 18% of sales in 2022.
Osborne said the Province is working with FortisBC, BC Hydro, “and other partners to expand B.C.’s public charging infrastructure and build an economy powered by clean, affordable electricity.”
Chris O’Reily, chief executive of BC Hydro, said recently that his organization is “preparing for this by ensuring we have the power to meet the demand and the infrastructure in place to support the growing number of EVs.”
BC Hydro anticipates up to 900,00 EVs on B.C. roads within the next decade. The Province is working toward a long-term target of 10,000 public charging stations by 2030.
But the Province is not the only force pushing for the electrification of our highways.
The Government of Canada is also taking action in 2024 toward making it easier to access public EV charging through a combination of direct investments, research, and partnerships with the private sector.
Canada this month launched a new request for proposals under the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. The proposals request aims to support the deployment of EV chargers, including fast chargers, in public places across Canada such as highways and public lots, as well as at private locations, including multi-unit residential buildings and workplaces.
This funding will deploy thousands of new chargers across Canada, building on the Government of Canada’s progress to deploy 84,500 nationwide, according to Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
“Canadians are making the switch to EVs because it’s a great way to save money while ensuring clean air in our communities,” Wilkinson said. “We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more available where Canadians live, work, travel and play.”
Additionally, to help investors, provinces, and communities determine suitable locations for chargers, the Government of Canada has developed a National Public EV Charging Planning Map. The “evidence-based tool” will support the deployment of chargers in the areas with the greatest public charging need, according to the government.
Applications will be accepted until September 19.
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