The Province of British Columbia is already well on its way to meeting its 2040 electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure goal.
As part of its commitment to have 100% of new passenger vehicle sales be zero emission by 2040, the province also set a target to have 400 DC fast charging stations built during the same time.
In a new report, the province announced its public charging network already has more than 200 stations already built or underway.
“A record number of British Columbians are adopting electric vehicles for a quieter ride, cleaner air and lower fuel costs, and we’re making sure we have the public infrastructure needed to support this uptake,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “We are on track to meet our goals for 2040 with more than half of the fast-charging sites needed already with one or more stations built.”
Those 400 DC fast charging stations will be required to meet the increasing demand from EV owners. The province is estimating there will be more than 2.5 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2040.
There are currently more than 54,000 ZEVs on the road in B.C., the highest number per capita in North America.
That growth will be spurred by the province’s CleanBC Go Electric rebate program, which offers up to $3,000 off the purchase of a new ZEV.
“People across the province are switching to electric vehicles in record numbers, thanks to CleanBC programs,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “Our government is planning for a cleaner, low-carbon future where all new cars are emission free and reliable charging stations are readily available right across the province to support users.”
B.C. also provides incentives for home and workplace charging infrastructure, and offers up to $100K off commercial EVs.
