Victoria: The BC government has said as British Columbians are embracing zero-emission vehicles faster than any other jurisdiction in Canada, the province is helping them go electric with $26 million in new funding for public charging stations.
“British Columbians are switching to clean energy and cleaner transportation in record numbers as part of our CleanBC plan and leading Canada in the transition to zero emission vehicles,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.
“The new funding we are announcing today to expand B.C.’s public charging network will help get more EVs on the road, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and lower fuel costs for people,” the minister added.
The BC government said the province’s newly released annual report about zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) shows they represented 18.1% of new light-duty passenger vehicles sold in 2022 — the highest percentage for any province or territory.
“To support British Columbians’ transition to electric vehicles and to help industry lower its emissions, year-end funding of $26 million will go toward the CleanBC Public Charging Program for light-duty vehicle charging,” the BC government said.
“The new funding will support approximately 250 more public light-duty fast-charging stations, including stations to complete the Electric Highway, a CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 commitment that will make recharging easier in every corner of the province,” the province added.
“The 2022 ZEV Update report highlights CleanBC Go Electric rebates and programs that have helped drive growth in the number of electric vehicles in B.C. The number of registered light-duty EVs rose from 5,000 in 2016 to more than 100,000 today – a 1,900% increase in the past six years. Last year, 30,004 zero-emission vehicles were bought in B.C., beating the previous record of 24,263 in 2021,” the BC government said in a press release.
“In addition, the report outlines progress in the installation of public charging stations across British Columbia, which now has one of the largest public charging networks in Canada, with more than 3,800 charging stations at the end of 2022. That compares to just 781 charging stations in 2016,” the press release said.