To encourage more British Columbians to drive electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Province is providing funding from the Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Program to expand and upgrade residential and public charging infrastructure.

Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness announced investments in two programs today at the Vancouver International Auto Show:

• $688,500 for incentives for Level 2 charging stations in multi-unit residential buildings like apartment blocks and strata complexes. The program is open to individuals anywhere in the province that reside in an eligible multi-unit residential building, or to parties authorized to make decisions regarding the building like building managers or owners, and strata councils. Approved applicants would be eligible to receive a rebate of up to 75% of the total, before-tax cost of installing a Level 2 EV charging station to a maximum of $4,500.
• In partnership with BMW Canada and BC Hydro, $276,500 to upgrade 10 public, single-standard DC fast charging stations (DCFCs) to dual-standard chargers. The upgrades will enable the chargers to offer both styles of charging standards (SAE Combo and CHAdeMO). These 10 stations currently use only the CHAdeMO charging standard which was the only standard available at the time they were installed. The upgrade is required so these DCFC stations can serve all models of EVs. Standard industry practice now is to have both charging standards on DCFC units. BMW is contributing $110,000 for the upgrades and BC Hydro will provide $106,500 as contributions-in-kind for technical expertise and labour to perform the upgrades.

The Multi-Unit Residential Building Charging Program will be managed on behalf of the Province by the Fraser Basin Council, while upgrades to the province’s DCFC network will be managed on behalf of the Province by BC Hydro.

These programs build on CEV investments announced earlier this month at the 2016 Globe Conference on Sustainability and Innovation. In response to strong demand for clean-energy vehicles the Province announced an additional $6.89 million for the Clean Energy Vehicle Program to ensure purchase incentives continue to be available for British Columbians who choose a qualifying electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, and for further investments in programs under development to expand public and residential charging infrastructure and encourage fleet purchases of CEVs.

Also, effective March 2, 2016, eligible electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles displaying an official decal are allowed in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes throughout the province regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle. The decals are free and will be issued to eligible owners through an application process. Details and the application form are available at the link provided below.

The Province introduced the CEV Program in 2011 and has since committed more than $31 million to make CEVs more affordable and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Quotes:

Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness –

“Rebates to install EV chargers in multi-unit residential buildings will help reduce barriers for residents of apartment blocks and strata complexes who are driving, or considering an electric vehicle but don’t have anywhere to charge it up while they’re at home. And the upgrades to DC fast chargers will ensure public fast charging stations can serve all of the EV models that are now available in B.C. Expanding charging infrastructure is a key part of our efforts under the CEV Program to encourage more British Columbians to get behind the wheel of a clean, green electric vehicle and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines –

“With 98% of the electricity generated in B.C. coming from clean or renewable resources, stimulating the purchase of clean-energy vehicles is one of the most effective ways we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to our investments under the CEV Program in vehicle incentives and infrastructure, B.C. now has the largest public charging network and the highest per-capita adoption rate of electric vehicles in Canada.”

Blair Qualey, president and CEO, New Car Dealers Association of British Columbia –

“Expanding infrastructure in residential buildings and upgrading charging stations for clean energy vehicles is a positive step in the right direction for British Columbians to reduce their carbon footprint. The CEVforBC program is built around incentivising and creating an opportunity for anyone in the province to own an electric vehicle if they choose. Thanks to the investment today, we now have the largest public charging network in Canada, and I hope that we continue to see this grow.”

Marc Belcourt, national manager, BMWi –

“As a leader in the development and sales of electric cars, BMW Canada is proud to invest in upgrades to the DC Fast charging infrastructure in the Province of British Columbia. BMW Canada’s investment will enhance the ownership experience for all electric vehicle drivers in the province. Expanding the DC fast charging infrastructure is a critical step to increase the adoption of electric mobility.”

Greg Reimer, executive vice-president, transmission, distribution and customer service, BC Hydro –

“It’s estimated that more than 300,000 electric vehicles will be on the road in B.C. by 2030. BC Hydro remains committed to supporting our customers who choose clean vehicle technologies. We are working hard to ensure we are making it easier for electric vehicles to travel further in B.C. by upgrading and adding additional charging stations.”

David Marshall, executive director, Fraser Basin Council –

“Home charging is key to the success of electric vehicle ownership. We're pleased to be supporting a program that helps reduce barriers for residents of multi-unit buildings. B.C. has been a leader in supporting electric vehicles and we look forward to contributing to the success of clean energy vehicles.”

Tony Gioventu, executive director and strata property adviser, Condominium Home Owners' Association of B.C –

“With the growing demand for electric vehicles in strata properties across B.C. the incentives are a welcomed boost to consumers. Many strata corporations face the dilemma of allocating parking into areas where electrical service is limited, and the cost of a retrofit is a low priority for the strata corporation. The funding program will provide strata corporations with an excellent opportunity to consider upgrades for electric vehicle charging stations in visitor parking and designated parking locations.”

Quick Facts:

• Under the CEV Program, point-of-sale incentives of up to $5,000 are available for the purchase or lease of a new battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and up to $6,000 for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
• CEVs with a manufacturer suggested retail price above $77,000 are not eligible for a purchase incentive from the CEV program.
• Since 2011 the CEV Program investments in infrastructure have supported 301 residential charging stations, 142 multi-unit building charging stations, over 550 public Level 2 charging stations, and 30 DC fast charging stations.
• Since 2011 the CEV Program’s point-of-sale purchase incentives – along with investments in infrastructure, outreach, research and training – have helped put over 2,400 EVs on the road in B.C.
• Including vehicles that were brought into the province from other jurisdictions or purchased outside the CEV Program, B.C. now has over 3,300 battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles registered in the province.
• The current 3,300 electric vehicles on the road in B.C. will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 198,000 tonnes over 15 years.

• In 2014-15, 97.9% of the electricity generated in British Columbia was from clean or renewable resources.

Learn More:

For information on the Multi-Unit Residential Building Charging Program, visit: http://pluginbc.ca/charging-program/

To learn about British Columbia’s CEV Program, visit: https://www.cevforbc.ca/

For more information on the Fraser Basin Council, visit: http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/

For more information on BMW electric vehicles, visit: http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/corporation/bmwi/philosophy.html

For more information on HOV lanes and electric vehicles and to apply for a permit, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/HOVPermit

For information on the Vancouver International Auto Show and the Electric Vehicle Experience Test Drive, visit: http://vancouverinternationalautoshow.com/