Kelowna’s first publicly available fast-charge stations were officially opened June 24 by Phillip Elchrist, operations manager, Kelowna airport; Mr. Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna — Lake Country and Doug Stout, vice president, market development & external relations, FortisBC. (Submitted photo)
Electric vehicle (EV) drivers will be able to get a fast charge in Osoyoos, as well as 10 other strategic locations across the Okanagan and Kootenays, as FortisBC adds 12 new Direct Current Fast Charge (DCFC) stations to its EV charging network.
“Our goal is to make sure electric vehicle drivers can travel with confidence across our electric service territory in B.C.’s southern interior,” said Doug Stout, vice president, market development and external relations, FortisBC. “Putting charging stations where they are needed most helps drive electric vehicle adoption and is part of our Clean Growth Pathway, our action plan to help the province meet its clean energy goals.”
FortisBC has the following locations slated for construction over the summer: Kelowna Airport, Rutland Centennial Park along Highway 33 in Kelowna, Kelowna Museum, Beaverdell, Osoyoos, Cawston, Rossland, Nelson, Kaslo, New Denver and Nakusp.
• Read more: FortisBC ousting two-tiered billing
According to the manufacturer, these fast-charging stations are expected to charge a compact electric vehicle in about a half an hour, as compared to a Level-2 station that requires about three to four hours. The BC Utilities Commission-approved charge rate is $9 per half hour.
These fast chargers were 50 per cent funded by Natural Resources Canada and 25 per cent by B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources as part of the Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative. FortisBC funded the remaining amount and will own and maintain the stations.
“Making the switch to electric vehicles is part of our government’s CleanBC plan to cut climate pollution, boost the economy, and create opportunities for communities across the province,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “This new series of electric vehicle chargers in B.C’s interior will strengthen our existing charging network and make it easier to charge up.”
These stations bring the total FortisBC owns and operates to 17 stations across 14 communities. FortisBC continues to look for opportunities to grow this network. For more information about the FortisBC electric vehicle charging network, visit fortisbc.com/electricvehicle.
