Delta, BC to Expand public EV Charging Network

July 8, 2021

People in Delta will have more options for charging their electric vehicle (EV) with two new EV stations that are being built.

Funding for the new EV stations will come from the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program.

“B.C. now has more than 60,000 EVs on the road,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “With the highest reported uptake rates of EVs in North America, we’re building out the infrastructure needed to support the increasing number of EV drivers. This support for EV charging not only moves us toward our CleanBC goals, but it also helps EV drivers save on fuel costs – about $1,800 every year for the average B.C. driver.”

Elite Auto Spa is receiving $190,500 from the Province’s CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program to install two new EV charging stations at its car wash facility, allowing more EV drivers in the community and post-pandemic travellers to charge up. Work on the new charging stations is expected to begin in August 2021.

“We’re expanding B.C.’s electric vehicle charging network through CleanBC to make adoption of EVs more convenient and secure for people and businesses,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “These new charging stations add to an extensive network of stations in communities across British Columbia. They build on our government’s support to make zero-emission vehicles more affordable, accessible and practical so that we can reduce pollution and meet our climate and clean economy goals.”

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.

“It is clear that electric vehicles are becoming a popular choice among folks in North Delta, highlighting the importance to support people on our collective journey to a sustainable future,” said Ravi Kahlon, MLA for Delta North. “We are committed to strong climate action. I am particularly proud to announce two new local EV-charging stations through our CleanBC plan.”

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% of the cost of equipment and installation to a maximum of $80,000 per station. Increased rebates of up to 90% 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.

“We are really grateful to the Government of British Columbia, the Fraser Basin Council and Electrum Charging Solutions for helping make this project happen,” said Amarjit Sandhu, owner, Elite Auto Spa. “We look forward to offering EV drivers some of the fastest public charging in all of B.C.”

In addition to funding for the expansion of the EV public charging network, a range of rebates for new EVs and home and workplace EV-charging infrastructure are available to British Columbians through the CleanBC Go Electric program.

The Zero-Emission Vehicles Act requires automakers to meet increasing annual levels of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales to reach 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales by 2025, 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. B.C. is on its way to exceeding the 2025 targets with light-duty EV sales representing 9.4% of all new light-duty vehicle sales in B.C. in 2020.

CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. It supports government’s commitment to climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets and build a cleaner, stronger economy for everyone.

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Image Source: Delta Optimist