BC Hydro expands its electric vehicle fast charging site in Horseshoe Bay
WEST VANCOUVER: BC Hydro has upgraded its electric vehicle fast charging site in Horseshoe Bay with the addition of two new 100-kilowatt charging units. The site becomes the first location in BC Hydro's fast charging network with dual 100-kilowatt charging units.
"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 Horseshoe Bay site originally opened in June 2018 and is located at 6400 Bruce Street. The site was built with one 50-kilowatt charging unit. On November 30, 2022, the location was closed so BC Hydro could upgrade the site with new infrastructure. On March 31, the Horseshoe Bay location re-opened with two 100-kilowatt charging units. Each 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 chargers for better accessibility.
"The expansion of BC Hydro's electric vehicle charging station in Horseshoe Bay marks an important step towards providing more needed services to our community," says Mark Sager, Mayor of West Vancouver. "This initiative supports the increasing demand for electric vehicles. Horseshoe Bay is a vital village which provides services not only to the people of West Vancouver but also serves as a beautiful location to begin voyages to places beyond. We thank BC Hydro for this improvement."
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 have 325 charging units in its network at 145 sites by the end of 2025."
BC Hydro's provincewide fast charging network currently includes 145 charging units at 83 sites in communities throughout B.C. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.
Contact:
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