BC Hydro has doubled capacity at its electric vehicle fast charging site in Cranbrook.
This comes 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 site in Cranbrook initially opened in 2017 in the parking lot at 38 Cranbrook Street North, behind StellerVista Credit Union and the Bank of Montreal.
It was built with one 50-kilowatt charging unit, which can add 50 kilometres of driving range to most electric vehicles in about 10 minutes.
The new 100-kilowatt charging unit can add about 100 kilometres of range in that same time.
“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.”
BC Hydro said EVs are becoming increasingly popular, with more than 160,000 now on the province’s roadways and between 700,000 and 900,000 anticipated 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.,” said 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.”
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