Electric car owners who charge vehicles at home will face big bills

Dear Editor:

In the Nov. 16 edition of the Osoyoos Times, you quoted a representative from BC Hydro as saying that it “is focused on removing barriers for our customers who want to own an electric car” and that “our electricity rates are among the lowest in North America”.

Your readers should be aware that both these statements are not true.

BC Hydro and FortisBC both charge two-tier electricity rates, with customers paying a higher rate if they consume more electricity than the average.

So, while your electricity rates may be low if all of your consumption is in the first tier, if you charge your electric vehicle at home, you will certainly end up in the second tier and the second tier rate is among the highest in North America.

This rate system is clearly a barrier throughout the province for those who want to own an electric car.

But despite complaints from many B.C. residents, the provincial government and the electric utilities continue to defend this two-tier rate system.

So, if you are thinking about buying an electric car, you should first write to BC Hydro, FortisBC and the provincial government and ask them why they are not scrapping the two-tier rate system if they are telling the truth about removing barriers to electric car use.

Nicholas Marty

Osoyoos, B.C.