FORT ST. JOHN -- BC Hydro has expanded its fast charging network into Fort St. John.
Two new 180-kilowatt electric car chargers have been installed in the Canadian Tire parking lot located on 9716 Old Fort Road.
"This new electric vehicle charge site in Fort St. John continues our work with BC Hydro and other partners to make cleaner options more accessible and affordable for all British Columbians," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in a press release.
The chargers can add 180 kilometres of driving range in about 10 minutes and feature a curbless design and lower displays for better accessibility.
They also support dual charging allowing two vehicles to charge simultaneously by splitting the power to 90-kilowatts, which BC Hydro says will allow more drivers to access the station at the same time.
“An important part of our CleanBC climate plan is helping people make the switch from a gas-powered vehicle to one that runs on B.C.'s clean electricity – whether you're driving around a city, a small town, or a more remote area of our vast and beautiful province," said Osbourne.
According to BC Hydro, there are currently more than 160,000 electric vehicles on B.C. roads with the Crown Corporation predicting that number to grow between 700,000 and 900,000 over the next 10 years.
With this new addition, its charging network now includes 242 charging ports across 97 sites.
"These new chargers are part of our expansion plan to achieve geographic connectivity of our EV fast charging network, with a station located at least every 150 kilometres throughout B.C.," said Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro.
The charging stations are funded in partnership with the province and Natural Resources Canada.
"More electric chargers bring both environmental and economic benefits as we work towards lowering our climate-changing emissions 40% by 2030," says George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
