British Columbia is investing to help set up 85 new electric vehicle charging stations across the province.
But only one is placed in the Tri-Cities.
The provincial government announced a single public port is now open and ready for EV owners in Coquitlam as of today (Aug. 5) and will be maintained under the eye of BC Hydro.
It's located at the Mobil Petro gas station — 1301 Lougheed Hwy. — one block south of two other BC Hydro charging stations on Seguin Drive.
"B.C. has one of the largest public charging networks in Canada, and I’m excited to announce that new fast-charging EV stations will be built here," said Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson in a release as the new charger is in her riding.
"The funding will give people more options for charging their vehicles, while helping to fight climate change and bringing B.C. closer to our CleanBC goals."
The announcement comes a week after the federal government unveiled a joint $255,000 investment to install 21 EV charging stations across Coquitlam.
There are currently 10 locations with charging ports seen on the map below:
The province said its goal is to provide convenience for EV owners commuting across the Lower Mainland in what are identifed as high-traffic areas.
According to its statement, fast chargers allow such vehicles to drive up to 250 km per charge.
“More and more British Columbians are switching to electric vehicles to save on fuel costs and reduce air pollution,” said Bruce Ralston, B.C. minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation.
“Through CleanBC, we’re working with our partners to expand our EV charging network across the province, make it easier for drivers to go electric and put B.C. on the road to a clean energy future.”
Coquitlam's new charger was placed via a partnership between BC Hydro, B.C.'s energy ministry and Natural Resources Canada.
During last week's EV charging announcement, Mayor Richard Stewart said the stations are set to help move the city forward in its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2025.
"We are also using the full breadth of our local government abilities to look at the future needs for EVs in our community," he explained.
"For example, this includes requiring Level 2 chargers in new multi-family developments and also bringing Level 1 chargers to currently underserved areas through a pilot project. But it is only through all levels of government working together that we can make an impact on climate change."
Four new stations have been placed in the Tri-Cities' neighbouring communities of north Burnaby (two) and New Westminster (two), while 21 have been added to Vancouver's network.
