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News release

BC Hydro’s electric vehicle fast charging site opens in McLeod Lake

MCLEOD LAKE: A new BC Hydro electric vehicle fast charging site is now operational in McLeod Lake. The site is now the most northern location along Highway 97 in BC Hydro’s electric vehicle fast charging network. It was built in collaboration with the McLeod Lake Indian Band and adds to the company’s growing network of more than 100 public fast chargers in B.C.

“We are very thankful to BC Hydro for the installation of the new public electric charging station within our gas station,” says Chief Harley Chingee of the McLeod Lake Indian Band. “It is a great addition for our customers to use when visiting our store and ensures we can serve any visitor to McLeod Lake.”

The McLeod Lake site is hosted by the McLeod Lake Indian Band. It opened September 22 and is located at 1 Carp Lake Road.

“We are working to make it easier for drivers in B.C. to go electric and take advantage of B.C.’s clean, reliable and affordable hydroelectricity,” says Hon. Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation. “This location in McLeod Lake helps make public charging more convenient and accessible for people in northern B.C. This station also brings us another step closer to achieving our CleanBC goal of completing B.C.’s Electric Highway.”

The charge site includes two 25-kilowatt charging units. Each unit can add 50 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 20 minutes.

Transportation accounts for about 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. In September, 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 now includes 118 charging units at 79 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
p. 604 928 6468