BC Hydro has doubled the number of chargers at its electric vehicle fast charging site in Boston Bar with the addition of a new 50-kilowatt charging unit.
"An important part of our CleanBC climate plan is helping people make the switch from a gas-powered vehicle to one that runs on B.C.'s clean electricity - whether you're driving around a city, a small town, or a more remote area of our vast and beautiful province," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. "This new electric vehicle charger in Boston Bar continues our work with BC Hydro and other partners to make cleaner options more accessible and affordable for all British Columbians."
The Boston Bar site originally opened in May 2017 and is located in the parking lot of Canyon Lanes (47585 Trans Canada Highway). The site was built with one 50-kilowatt charging unit which can add 50 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes. On December 26, an additional 50-kilowatt charging unit was brought into service.
"This new charger will help British Columbians get to where they need to go more quickly and reliably, all while using clean energy," said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. "More electric chargers bring both environmental and economic benefits as we work towards lowering our climate-changing emissions 40 per cent by 2030."
Transportation accounts for about 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. In September 2021, BC Hydro revealed its Electrification Plan, with initiatives to encourage B.C. residents, businesses and industries to switch to hydroelectricity from fossil fuels to help reduce carbon emissions. The plan encourages switching from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles.
"As the primary fuel supplier for electric vehicles, we are building out charging infrastructure to ensure we can accommodate the volume and variety of electric vehicles that will be on B.C. roads in the coming years," says Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "BC Hydro will have 325 charging units in its network at 145 sites by the end of 2025."
BC Hydro's provincewide fast charging network currently includes 162 charging units at 85 sites in communities throughout B.C. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
Email: media@bchydro.com
Phone: 604 928 6468
