BC Hydro's electric vehicle fast charging site operational in Maple Ridge
MAPLE RIDGE: A new BC Hydro electric vehicle fast charging site is now operational in Maple Ridge. The site is BC Hydro's first location in Maple Ridge and adds to the company's growing network of more than 150 public fast chargers in B.C.
"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 Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. "This new electric vehicle fast charging site in Maple Ridge continues our work with BC Hydro and other partners to make cleaner options more accessible and affordable for all British Columbians."
The Maple Ridge site is located the parking lot of the Canadian Tire (11969 200th Street). The site has two 50-kilowatt charging units which can add 50 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes.
"This new charge site will help British Columbians get to where they need to go more quickly and reliably, all while using clean energy," said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. "More electric chargers bring both environmental and economic benefits as we work towards lowering our climate-changing emissions 40 per cent by 2030."
This new location includes a curbless design and lower displays on the new chargers for better accessibility.
"There is a growing community of EV drivers in Maple Ridge and this new public charge site will support them with access to reliable charging," says Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. "This site, which is conveniently located, will help reduce range anxiety."
Transportation accounts for about 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. In September 2021, BC Hydro revealed its Electrification Plan, with initiatives to encourage B.C. residents, businesses and industries to switch to hydroelectricity from fossil fuels to help reduce carbon emissions. The plan encourages switching from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles.
"As the primary fuel supplier for electric vehicles, we are building out charging infrastructure to ensure we can accommodate the volume and variety of electric vehicles that will be on B.C. roads in the coming years," says Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "BC Hydro will have 325 charging units in its network at 145 sites by the end of 2025."
BC Hydro's provincewide fast charging network currently includes 158 charging units at 85 sites in communities throughout B.C. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468