People on Vancouver Island with hydrogen-powered vehicles can fuel up easier with the first public hydrogen-fuelling station on the Island open in Saanich.

“Through CleanBC, we are working to expand our hydrogen-fuelling network to encourage more British Columbians to make the switch to a cleaner vehicle,” said Bruce Ralston, B.C.’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “The adoption of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and fuelling infrastructure will complement the build out of our electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and play a critical role in helping us achieve our legislated zero-emission vehicle targets and in our transition to a clean-energy future.”

Vancouver-based Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation (HTEC) has partnered with 7-Eleven Canada to open Vancouver Island’s first public hydrogen-fuelling station at an Esso in Saanich. The Saanich station received $500,000 from the Province’s CleanBC Go Electric program and $1 million from Natural Resource Canada’s Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative.

“Cutting our transportation emissions is one of the most important things we can do in the fight against climate change,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, federal Minister of Natural Resources. “Hydrogen vehicles are non-emitting and high performing; with this charging station. It’s easier to drive hydrogen to and on the Island.”

Through its Go Electric programs, the Province is taking measures to ensure the increasing demand for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) is supported by building the public-charging and hydrogen-fuelling network and through rebates for home and workplace charging infrastructure. B.C. has one of the largest public-charging networks and the first cluster of public hydrogen-fuelling stations in Canada.

“HTEC is excited to be making zero-emission travel and transport possible across Canada and proud to have begun the drive right here at home in B.C.,” said Colin Armstrong, president and CEO, HTEC. “Governments at all levels are increasing their commitments to climate action and are recognizing the important role hydrogen plays in taking carbon out of the transportation equation. Through this support, we now have four stations open for business in B.C., with more stations scheduled to open in the coming months.”

In September 2020, the Province announced a $10-million commitment to build an additional 10 hydrogen-fuelling stations and promote and accelerate the use of hydrogen technologies throughout B.C. The Province released its hydrogen strategy in 2021, which provides direction for hydrogen development in B.C. over the next decade and beyond. 

“7-Eleven Canada is committed to supporting the Province’s CleanBC vision by building out a network of hydrogen-fuelling and electric-charging stations in Canada as we aim to reduce our stores’ CO2 emissions by 100% by 2050 – over a 2013 baseline,” said Norman Hower, vice-president and general manager, 7-Eleven Canada. “In partnership with the B.C. government and HTEC, our new hydrogen-fuelling station in Saanich will enhance our robust neighbourhood assortment and provide our customers access to a safe and clean-fuel alternative.”

The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 is B.C.’s plan to expand and accelerate climate action building on the province’s natural advantages: abundant, clean electricity; high-value natural resources; and a highly skilled workforce. It sets a path for increased collaboration to build a British Columbia that works for everyone.

Quick Facts:

• Four public hydrogen-fuelling stations are operating in the province in Saanich, Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver. Another station is under development in Kelowna and is expected to open in summer 2022. HTEC has several new stations slated to open soon in B.C.
• Hydrogen fuelling takes three to five minutes for an average-sized tank.
• The range of light-duty hydrogen-fuel cell electric vehicles is approximately 500 to 750 kilometres.

Learn More:

To view the September 2020 release on Provincial support for hydrogen in B.C., visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/23047

To view B.C.’s hydrogen strategy, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/electricity-alternative-energy/electricity/bc-hydro-review/bc_hydrogen_strategy_final.pdf

To view the Government of Canada’s hydrogen strategy, visit:
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/climate-change/canadas-green-future/the-hydrogen-strategy/23080

To view the light-duty ZEV infrastructure study, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/transportation-energies/clean-transportation-policies-programs/clean-energy-vehicle-program/dcfc-program

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

To learn more about the CleanBC plan, visit: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/