BC Hydro expands its electric vehicle fast charging site in Blue River
BLUE RIVER: BC Hydro has doubled the number of chargers at its electric vehicle fast charging site in Blue River with the addition of a new 50-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 Blue River 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 Blue River site originally opened in October 2019 and is located at the Petro Canada at 883 Shell Road, just off Highway 5. The site was built with one 50-kilowatt charging unit. On December 16, an additional charging unit was brought into service. Each unit can add 50 kilometers 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.
"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."
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.
BC Hydro's provincewide fast charging network currently includes 130 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
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