Victoria and Saanich are among the latest round of federal funding aimed at improving electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Victoria will get $395,000 to support its on-road vehicle fleets. The city plans to install 26 Level 2 EV chargers, one 20-49 kW Level 3 EV charger, two 50-99 kW Level 3 EV chargers and one 320kW Level 3 EV charger at and near municipal workplaces in Victoria.
Another $122,500 will help the city install 22 Level 2 EV chargers and one Level 3 EV charger (20-49 kW) in village centres with a high density of multi-unit residential buildings where residents do not have at-home access to charging.
In Saanich, $350,000 will help the district install 40 Level 2 EV chargers and 2 EV fast chargers (100-199 kW) to support municipal operations and fleet electrification.
The two South Island municipalities were among the $22.7 million – across eight projects in the province – announced Aug. 27 in Victoria by federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson on behalf of Energy Minister Tim Hodgson.
“With today’s announcement, we are accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles with the installation of more than 480 EV chargers in British Columbia. These chargers are located in high-demand areas and along busy highway corridors where Canadians need them most,” Robertson said in a news release.
The remainder of the funding is allocated to BC Hydro, the Crown corporation responsible for generating, purchasing, distributing and selling electricity. Projects will include more than 350 charging stations of varying levels, at unnamed locations, installed for public use on main travel and community corridors with high demand.
“Canada is taking bold action to become an energy superpower. Through these projects, we are delivering practical, on-the-ground solutions to improve EV charging availability for British Columbians. Investments like this are how we build a cleaner, more secure and more competitive economy,” Hodgson said.
