Canada Invests in British Columbia’s Electric Vehicle Network

August 20, 2020

Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, reccently announced a $380,000 investment to help the District of the Summerland build 22 electric vehicle (EV) chargers as part of the government’s commitment to realizing a low-carbon future.

The six electric vehicle fast chargers and 16 level 2 EV chargers will be located at various public sites, including the city’s commercial businesses and its Tourist Information Centre. The first site is scheduled to open in the fall of 2020.

The federal funding, which is provided through the Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative (EVAFIDI) and the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, is in addition to the $150,000 the Government of British Columbia is investing in the project.

This investment supports commitments from the federal government to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and the provincial government to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050. It also supports the government’s goal to reach its ambitious target of 100 percent of zero-emission passenger vehicle sales by 2040.

To reach this target, the Government of Canada has provided over $300 million to support the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of fast chargers for electric vehicles, as well as establishing natural gas refuelling stations along key freight corridors and hydrogen stations in metropolitan centres. This investment also includes EV charging in more localized areas, such as apartment buildings, public places and workplaces.

The infrastructure resulting from these investments will ensure that people can drive and charge their vehicles across Canada, as well as where they live, work and play. Support is also given for the demonstration of next-generation charging technologies as well as the development of enabling codes and standards.

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