Electric vehicle drivers will soon be able to road trip from Prince George to Prince Rupert, thanks to a network of fast-charging stations being installed by B.C. Hydro.
On Thursday, the provincial and federal governments, along with B.C. Hydro, announced plans to install 18 new charging stations in nine locations along Highway 16 west of Prince George. Public fast-charging stations have already been installed in communities along Highway 97 south of the city, and B.C. Hydro has a quick charge station in place in the Superstore parking lot in Prince George.
"More and more British Columbians are switching to electric vehicles to save on fuel costs and reduce air pollution," Energy Minister Bruce Ralston said in a press release. "Through CleanBC, we're working with our partners to expand our EV charging network across the province, make it easier for drivers to go electric and put B.C. on the road to a clean energy future."
The stations in Burns Lake and Prince Rupert have already opened, with stations in Kitimat, New Hazelton, Smithers, Houston, Fraser Lake and Vanderhoof expected to be operational by the fall. An additional station in Tlell, on Haida Gwaii, is expected to open this winter.
Funding for the chargers was provided by B.C. Hydro, and the provincial and federal governments.
As of the end of 2020, B.C. had more than 2,500 public charging stations, including 480 fast-charge stations. In December 2020, there were more than 54,000 electric vehicles registered in B.C.
“Until now, owning an electric vehicle has been a challenge for rural Canadians, and this investment is another major step toward bringing clean, electric transportation to rural B.C. into reality,” Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen said in a press release. “We are partnering with the federal government so more public fast-charging EV stations will be available along travel routes, making it easier for people to get around on B.C.'s highways and keep their EVs powered.”
By 2040, all light-duty vehicles sold in the province will be required to be electric or use other zero-emission technology.
A map of electric vehicle charging stations in B.C. is available online at electricvehicles.bchydro.com/charge/public-charging/our-fast-charging-network.
