Communities plugging in to promote electric vehicles

Sept 12 Burnaby – As part of the $2.7-million Community Charging Infrastructure (CCI) Fund, 71 organizations have been approved through an Early Bird Application process for charging station incentives.

FBC Executive Director David Marshall, BC Minister of Environment Terry Lake and Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Doug Horne

Sept 12 Burnaby – If you own an electric vehicle or have ever thought of purchasing one, it will now be easier to recharge and keep moving with the introduction of 454 new charging stations in communities throughout the province.

As part of the $2.7-million Community Charging Infrastructure (CCI) Fund announced in April by Minister of Environment Terry Lake, 71 organizations have been approved through an Early Bird Application process for charging station incentives. These organizations will receive 75 per cent of the cost through the fund, up to $4,000 per station, to purchase and install 286 level two charging stations.

In addition to the charging station incentives, 12 local municipal/regional governments will receive $184, 416 in funding to help plan and identify priority locations for 168 additional stations. These local government recipients include:

Capital Regional District
City of Campbell River
City of Dawson Creek
City of Duncan
City of Fort St. John
City of Merritt
City of Nanaimo
City of Terrace
District of Sechelt
Metro Vancouver
Resort Municipality of Whistler
Regional District of Nanaimo

These communities will be working with local businesses in their regions to identify key locations to site charging stations for public use.

Approved stations are distributed throughout the province and will provide public access for electric vehicle owners to charge vehicles in key locations such as municipal halls, shopping centres and hotels.

The CCI Fund is managed, administered and promoted by the Fraser Basin Council and will be accepting applications for the Charging Stations Incentive until Sept. 28, 2012. The purpose of the fund is to support a network of up to 570 charging stations provincewide. All stations must be installed by March 31 2013.

Quotes:
Terry Lake, Minister of Environment –
“It is extremely encouraging to see such widespread interest across the province, both at the local government and business level, in setting up electric vehicle charging stations.”

“As an electric vehicle owner myself, it is great to be able to add an increasing number of convenient locations to charge up and make owning an electric vehicle even more attractive than it already is in B.C.”

Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas –
“Providing climate-friendly fuel options is a great way for B.C. families to lower their energy costs and build on our government’s leadership in low-carbon transportation.”

“This funding will go a long way towards ensuring people across the province can do that using clean, made-in-B.C. electricity.”

David Marshall, executive director, Fraser Basin Council –
“We are thrilled with the early response for charging stations. This program will help kick-start the electric vehicle infrastructure needed to allow drivers more flexible trip options, and establish electric vehicles as a great option for consumers.”

John Horton, president, Shape Properties –
“Clean energy vehicles are one of the many initiatives that we have been exploring in an effort to support sustainable lifestyles and provide added value to our communities. We are excited that our first charging stations will be available at our new shopping centre, Highstreet, a 600,000-square-foot * outdoor centre opening next spring at Highway 1 and Mt. Lehman in Abbotsford.”

* About 55,742 square metres