SOUND OFF: Expanding our EV charging network

More public charging ports means that even those people who can’t charge their EV at home can easily keep their vehicle charged in their community, making EV ownership far more accessible.

The expanded network will also give drivers the confidence to take that long-planned road trip or even to switch to an EV for work travel, knowing there will be convenient charging ports all along the route.

In my riding of Vernon-Lumby, there are currently 4 BC Hydro fast-charging locations totaling 11 DC fast-charging ports. There are as follows:

Vernon Fast Charging Site at 3004 32nd Ave., Vernon
Vernon Performing Arts Centre Charging Hub at 3800 33 St., Vernon
Lumby Curling Centre at 2230 Shields Ave., Lumby
Frank’s General Store at 1193 Highway 6, Cherryville

Right now, EV owners in B.C. are paying the equivalent of 68 cents per litre to charge their vehicles – that’s a savings of about 66 per cent compared to gas-powered cars.

It’s no wonder that hundreds of thousands more EVs are expected to be registered in B.C. in the coming years. Now is a key time to invest in the infrastructure to meet this growing demand.

The expanded BC Hydro network will include larger charging sites in the busiest locations, to reduce wait times during peak travel periods. Sites will be accessible, and washrooms will also be added to sites where there is an existing gap in those facilities.

In addition to the 3,500 new public charging ports being built by BC Hydro, the provincial government is helping businesses, local governments, Indigenous communities and other organizations to install public charging stations on their own sites. Eligible projects can get 50 per cent of the cost of the equipment and installation covered by a rebate. You can find out more at https://goelectricbc.gov.bc.ca/find-rebates/public-charging-light-duty/

B.C. already leads North America with one of the fastest rates of adoption of EVs. By investing in expanding our public charging network, we’re setting our province up for a cleaner and more efficient future.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Lumby

SOUND OFF: Expanding our EV charging network

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