BC Hydro's electric vehicle fast charging site operational in Burnaby
BURNABY: A new BC Hydro electric vehicle fast charging site is now operational in North Burnaby. The site is BC Hydro’s first location in Burnaby and adds to the company' growing network of more than 140 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 charge site in Burnaby continues our work with BC Hydro and other partners to make cleaner options more accessible and affordable for all British Columbians."
The North Burnaby site opened April 14 and is located at the Kensington Square Shopping Centre (6500 Hastings Street). It includes two 100-kilowatt charging units. Each unit can add 100 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes.
"This is our first public fast charging site in Burnaby and it’s an important location within network in the Lower Mainland," says Katrina Chen, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed. "It's in a busy shopping area and these two 100-kilowatt charging units will provide reliable electric vehicle charging for drivers near Burnaby Mountain and Barnet Highway."
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 148 charging units at 84 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