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BC Hydro expands its electric vehicle fast charging site in Powell River

Powell River, B.C. EV fast charging site

POWELL RIVER: BC Hydro has doubled the number of chargers at its electric vehicle fast charging site in Powell River 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 expanded charging location in Powell River will help make public charging more convenient as a growing number of people on the Sunshine Coast make the switch to electric vehicles."

The Powell River site originally opened in December 2019 and is located at the Powell River Ferry Terminal. 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 February 2, 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.

"This expanded charge site in Powell River is supporting electric vehicle tourism on the Sunshine Coast," says Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast. "The site is convenient for drivers travelling on the ferry between the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island."

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 139 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:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468