BC Hydro has doubled the number of chargers at its electric vehicle fast charging site in Cranbrook with the addition of a new 100-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 Cranbrook continues our work with BC Hydro and other partners to make cleaner options more accessible and affordable for all British Columbians."
The Cranbrook site originally opened in January 2017 and is located in a parking lot at 38 Cranbrook Street N. (at the corner of Cranbrook Street N. and 1 Street N.). 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. An additional 100-kilowatt charging unit has been brought into service which can add 100 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes.
"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."
This updated location also includes a curbless design and lower displays on the new charger for better accessibility.
"The City is very grateful to have an additional new 100-kilowatt charging unit added to the EV charging site in Cranbrook," says Cranbrook Mayor Wayne Price. "The enhanced capacity will be of great benefit to local and travelling EV users."
The adoption of electric vehicles across British Columbia has increased significantly. There are now more than 160,000 EVs on the road in B.C., and BC Hydro predicts there will be between 700,000 and 900,000 EVs within the next 10 years.
"British Columbians are embracing electric vehicles faster than any other jurisdiction in Canada and that's why we are continuing to make investments for growth within our current system and building out our fast charging network across B.C.," says Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "These new chargers are part of our expansion plan to achieve geographic connectivity of our EV fast charging network, with a station located at least every 150 kilometres throughout B.C."
BC Hydro's provincewide fast charging network currently includes 211 charging ports at 91 sites in communities throughout B.C. BC Hydro is looking to add 3,000 ports to its network by 2030.
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
