Public Electric-Vehicle Charging Network to Expand in Chilliwack

Four new EV charging stations to be installed near Five Corners in downtown Chilliwack.

Chilliwack is getting four new charging stations for electric vehicles.

The EV chargers will be installed in a city-owned parking lot just north of Five Corners. Work on the new charging stations is expected to begin in October 2021 and cost approximately $110,000.

The project will be partially funded by the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program.

“In British Columbia, our government is working to protect our environment and tackle climate change in many different ways through CleanBC,” said Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack.

“These new charging stations will make it more convenient for electric vehicle owners in Chilliwack and will encourage others to make the switch.”

According to a provincial government news release, B.C. is home to one of the largest public charging networks in Canada. At the end of 2020, there were over 2,500 public charging stations in B.C.

Chilliwack is currently home to 20 level two and two level three chargers.

“People across British Columbia are committed to make more environmentally responsible choices where they can,” said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. “Our government is making it easier and more affordable for people to do so by improving access to electric vehicle charging stations.”

With $7 million from the province announced in September 2020 for the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program, Indigenous Nations, local governments, communities and businesses can apply for support to open new fast-charging stations. Applicants can receive up to 50 per cent of the cost of equipment and installation to a maximum of $80,000 per station.

Increased rebates of up to 90 per cent of project costs to a maximum of $130,000 per station are also available for Indigenous-owned fast-charging stations. The program is being delivered by the Fraser Basin Council on behalf of the province.

“As a signatory of the B.C. Climate Action Charter, the City of Chilliwack is committed to reducing emissions and working towards a more sustainable future,” said Chilliwack mayor Ken Popove.

“We are grateful the province shares this vision and hope to see more electric vehicle users in Chilliwack once this project is complete.”

Source: agassizharrisonobserver