Whereas the Province has, through the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, established an initiative to build out an electric vehicle EV fast charging station network that includes expanding the network north of Prince George along the Highway 97 corridor and into the Peace region and directed BC Hydro to build out this network; And whereas communities along the Highway 97 corridor, including the District of Mackenzie, and into the Peace Region, and across the province will benefit from increased tourism in providing travellers with electric vehicles the knowledge that there is an established level 3 EV fast charging stations network: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to continue to work with BC Hydro to ensure that level 3 electric vehicle charging stations be established across the province.
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation The Province is investing in the infrastructure needed to support electric vehicles through an expanding network of public fast-charging stations to make EVs and EV travel more accessible to British Columbians. The demand for EVs and the development of the supporting infrastructure go hand in hand which is why the federal and provincial governments are offering rebates for both electric vehicles and charging stations. The rebates provide strong incentives for local governments, Crown corporations such as BC Hydro, and private companies to install the infrastructure to support their communities. To inform planning, the Province has published a study https:www2.gov.bc.cagovcontentindustryelectricity-alternative-energytra… outlining approximately where fast charging stations are needed to enable EV travel throughout the province, based on a computer model. This includes stations along the Highway 97 corridor and Peace Region. The study is posted online and an update to this study is underway. There are currently over 70 BC Hydro fast charging stations across the province from Tofino to the Alberta border, and BC Hydro is currently working on its next phase, which will connect drivers to Prince George and communities north, as well as Prince Rupert. Other entities, including Fortis BC, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and others, are also planning additional EV fast charging station deployments across the province. In central and northern BC, the following fast charging sites are currently under construction, with more in the planning stages. The website https:www.plugshare.com shows up-to-date locations of public charging stations direct current fast charging and Level 2 in operation and under construction. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure: 1. East Pine rest area Hwy 97 north of Prince George, 70 km west of Dawson Creek 2. Cluculz rest area Hwy 16 west of Prince George, east of Vanderhoof 3. Savory rest area Hwy 16 west of Prince George, between Fraser Lake and Burns Lake 4. Red Hill rest area Hwy 1 south of Prince George, between Spences Bridge and Cache Creek BC Hydro: 1. Prince George Hwy 16 and 97 2. McLeod Lake Hwy 97 north of Prince George 3. Fraser Lake Hwy 16 4. Burns Lake Hwy 16 5. Houston Hwy 16 6. New Hazelton Hwy 16 7. Prince Rupert Hwy 16
BC Hydro In terms of Resolution EB28 asking BC Hydro and the provincial government to ensure that level 3 electric vehicle charging stations are established across the province, please note that we began working with the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources MEMPR in 2012, and began installing a network of EV fast charging stations in the Province during 2013. By March 31, 2021, we expect to have constructed and put into operation 98 EV fast-chargers at 71 sites across the province. This includes recent stations in Blue River, Valemount, and McBride all in-service during October 2019. Fast-charging stations in both Prince George and Burns Lake are expected to be in-service during December 2020. In the following year, we plan to expand the fast-charging network on Highway 16 west from Prince George, and construct stations in Fraser Lake, Houston, Smithers, Hazelton, Terrace, Kitimat, and Prince Rupert. We continue to work with both MEMPR and the Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure MOTi on a five-year deployment plan that will ensure that all major highway corridors and key secondary highways have access to EV fast-charging infrastructure.