Electric vehicle rolls into Terrace
TERRACE – BC Hydro has partnered with the City of Terrace to test a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in northwest B.C. The vehicle, a Toyota Prius, was accepted by Mayor Dave Pernarowski for city staff to use in a one-year technology demonstration.
"I am pleased to welcome new, green technology to the City of Terrace," said Mayor Pernarowski. "City staff will have the opportunity to test the plug-in hybrid vehicle in real-world conditions while raising awareness of green transportation solutions."
BC Hydro has installed a charging station for the car at city hall as well as solar panels on the roof of the building to help offset some of the electricity used to charge the car. Both the charging station and solar panels will remain in place after the demonstration period.
"We know electric vehicles are part of our future so we are taking steps now to find out more about how they will interact with our electricity system," said David Cobb, president and CEO, BC Hydro. "Thanks to the City of Terrace, we will learn more about how electric cars perform in northern climates."
In addition to piloting a number of electric vehicles on the Lower Mainland, BC Hydro and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources have partnered with a number of communities around B.C. to demonstrate the use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The cities of Dawson Creek and Penticton have incorporated the cars into their municipal fleets.
The Prius was converted into a plug-in vehicle by Rapid Electric Vehicles – a B.C.-based supplier of electric vehicle drive systems. The car will work like a regular hybrid with the added ability to charge the battery directly from the electric power grid.
The increased use of plug-in electric vehicle technology is part of a broader sustainable energy strategy that will help the Province reach its goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020.
Contact:
Bob Gammer
Community Relations
Phone: 250 561 4858