New Electric Vehicle Chargers Coming to Saanich

May 5, 2021

The federal government announced a $110,000 investment to the District of Saanich to install 22 Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers at municipally owned sites.

The District of Saanich is matching the federal contribution, bringing the total project cost to $220,000. The investment supports the municipality’s own vehicle fleet and encourages adoption of zero-emission vehicles by giving British Columbians more options to charge and drive their vehicles where they live, work and play.

Federal funding is provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which supports the government’s ambitious target to have all new passenger vehicles sold in Canada be zero-emission vehicles by 2040. 

The government has invested over $600 million to make EVs more affordable and charging infrastructure readily available. This includes establishing a coast-to-coast network of fast chargers and charging in more localized areas where Canadians live, work and play. This infrastructure will ensure that Canadians can drive and charge their vehicles across Canada. This investment supports natural gas refuelling stations along key freight corridors, hydrogen stations in metropolitan centres, the demonstration of next-generation charging technologies and the development of enabling codes and standards. The government provides incentives of up to $5,000 for Canadian consumers to buy EVs to increase affordability and full tax write-offs for businesses purchasing them.

These investments are driven by Canada’s strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, which further accelerates zero-emission vehicle adoption through an additional $150 million for ZEV infrastructure and an additional $287 million for purchasing incentives for Canadians.

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