British Columbians will be able to travel throughout the province in electric vehicles with ease, thanks to funding to expand B.C.’s public electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network.

“Through CleanBC, we’re working to make it easier for British Columbians to switch to an electric vehicle, reduce air pollution and save on fuel costs,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “The expansion of our public EV charging network will help drivers charge up across the province while supporting communities to invest in new clean infrastructure.”

With $5.4 million in funding from the Province through the new CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program, Indigenous Nations, local governments, communities and businesses will be able to 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 fast-charging station. Increased rebates of up to 90% of projects 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.

“By working together with local governments and First Nations across the province, we’re making it more convenient for people to use electric vehicles and supporting clean economic opportunities as we build our recovery from COVID-19,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “This CleanBC investment will help people benefit from a better driving experience, lower fuel and maintenance costs and zero tailpipe pollution.”

In addition to the 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.

CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. CleanBC was developed in collaboration with the BC Green Party caucus and Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, and supports the commitment in the Confidence and Supply Agreement to implement climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets.

Quick Facts:

• B.C. has more than 2,000 public charging stations around the province, including more than 150 fast-charging stations.
• EV owners can save big on fuel costs – about $1,800 every year for the average B.C. driver.
• The Zero-Emission Vehicle Act, passed on May 30, 2019, requires all new light-duty cars and trucks sold in B.C. to be zero-emission vehicles by 2040.
• Federal funding is also available from Natural Resources Canada’s Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative and Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which provide up to 50% of total project costs to a maximum of $50,000 per charging station, plus an additional 25% to a maximum of $25,000 for B.C. applicants due to supplemental funding from the Province. Applicants may not stack funding from the Natural Resource Canada programs with the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program and should select the program that best meets their needs.
• Applications will be available online on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020.

Learn More:

To learn more about the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program, visit:
https://pluginbc.ca/publiccharger/

To learn more about the CleanBC Go Electric program, the public charging network and EV rebates, visit:
https://goelectricbc.gov.bc.ca/

To learn more about the suite of CleanBC Go Electric programming, visit:
www.gov.bc.ca/cleanenergyvehicleprogram 

To learn more about Fraser Basin Council, visit: https://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/

The CleanBC plan helps reduce pollution and power B.C.’s future with renewable energy:
https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/