BC Hydro expands its electric vehicle fast charging site in 70 Mile House
70 MILE HOUSE: BC Hydro has doubled the number of chargers at its electric vehicle fast charging site in 70 Mile House with the addition of a new 100-kilowatt charging unit.
"We are working to make it easier for drivers in B.C. to go electric and use more of B.C.’s clean, reliable hydroelectricity," says Hon. Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation. "This charging location in 70 Mile House will help make public charging more convenient as a growing number of people in the B.C. Interior make the switch to electric vehicles."
The 70 Mile House site originally opened in July 2019 and is located across from the Canada Post location on 70 Mile Frontage Road. 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 29, an additional 100-kilowatt charging unit was brought into service which can add 100 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes. This updated location also includes a curbless design and lower displays on the new charger for better accessibility.
"I find it very encouraging that BC Hydro has decided to upgrade the charging station at 70 Mile House," says Jim Smith, Director of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area E. "The added equipment means more travellers will stop to recharge and support the community."
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 add 325 charging units to its network at 145 sites within the next five years."
BC Hydro’s provincewide fast charging network currently includes 133 charging units at 81 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
e. media@bchydro.com
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