BC Hydro expands its electric vehicle fast charging site in Cloverdale
SURREY: BC Hydro has doubled the number of chargers at its electric vehicle fast charging site in Cloverdale with the addition of a new 100-kilowatt charging unit and a new 50-kilowatt charging unit. The Cloverdale location now has four fast chargers to support electric vehicle adoption in the community.
"B.C. has one of the largest public electric vehicle charging networks in Canada, but running out of power with no place to charge up, especially on longer trips, can still be a worry for people," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. "Together with BC Hydro and other partners we're continuing to expand our public charging network to reduce range anxiety and encourage more drivers to make the switch to an EV powered by B.C.'s clean electricity."
The Cloverdale site originally opened in January 2019 and is located in a parking lot near 176A Street and 58 Avenue (5771 176A Street). 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. In November 2021, BC Hydro installed its network's first 100-kilowatt charger at the location.
"A growing number of people in Surrey are switching to electric vehicles and that's why we built the first 100-kilowatt charging unit within our provincial network at our Cloverdale location," says Mike Starchuk, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale. "This expanded site now has four fast chargers and will support more electric vehicle drivers in the Lower Mainland."
On September 6, two additional charging units were added to the location. Another 100-kilowatt charging unit was brought into service which can add 100 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes and another 50-kilowatt charging unit. This updated location also includes a curbless design and lower displays on the new chargers 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 have 325 charging units in its network at 145 sites by the end of 2025."
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 153 charging units at 84 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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