Another step forward has been taken to bring Level 2 charging stations to Prince George as well as other parts of northern B.C.
Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) announced in Prince George today (Jan. 8) they will be committing $192,000 towards the creation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across central and northern B.C.
“This isn’t a ‘one-and-done’ project. As the number of EVs increase, so does the need for charging stations and I look forward to committing more grant dollars in the future," NDIT CEO Joel McKay said.
"Thank you to our partners and everyone who made this a reality – the north isn’t going to wait to go green.”
When the network is fully completed, it will allow better accessibility for those who drive electric vehicles, which will hopefully bring more people to communities throughout the regions and increase tourism.
Prince George will benefit from the most stations being installed with 11.
Through the Strategic Initiatives Fund, NDIT's contribution will help with the purchase of 47 Level 2 Stations scheduled to be in 26 local government and First Nations communities including:
- Prince George - 11
- Nisga'a Nation - 5
- McBride - 4
- 100 Mile House - 2
- Ashcroft - 2
- Kitimat - 2
- Logan Lake - 2
- Quesnel - 2
- Prince Rupert - 2
- Terrace - 2
- Burns Lake - 1
- Granisle - 1
- Houston - 1
- Masset - 1
- Queen Charlotte City - 1
- Sandspit - 1
- Smithers - 1
- Stellat'en Nation - 1
- Stewart - 1
- Tlell - 1
- Valemount - 1
- Vanderhoof - 1
- Village of Hazelton - 1
The Strategic Initiatives Fund is a proposal-based program that provides funds for strategic projects that are larger in scale regional impacting, enhance a community or multiple communities' ability to overcome economic challenges and will result in incremental capacity or strategic economic infrastructure within a local government or First Nation.
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George submitted the original application to NDIT and is working with other local governments and First Nations.
When the stations are paid for, Change North will work toward installing the units.
“The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has identified climate action as a core strategic priority," Regional District Fraser Fort George Vice-Chair Lara Beckett says.
"Advancing the development of an electric vehicle charging network in northern B.C. will go a long way in reducing CO2 emissions. We thank Northern Development Initiative Trust for supporting this project.”
