Plug in BC

In BC 93% of electricity generated is clean energy. This makes electric vehicles a good option for BC drivers who want to cut greenhouse gas and other harmful emissions by driving cleaner and greener.

Plug-In BC is a collaboration to help lay the groundwork for plug-in electric vehicles and related electric charging infrastructure in British Columbia. Here are some highlights of this investment:

• 932 vehicle sales in BC since 2012
• 530 public level 2 charging stations across BC
• Over 275 residential charging stations
• 125 charging stations in multi-unit buildings
• 7 DC fast charging stations in key locations, with 6 more planned
• Student training, research and development in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure
• The development of guides and tools for planning and installing infrastructure in the public space and in strata-owned buildings.

The Fraser Basin Council has supported Plug-in BC by administering parts of the initiative. We helped BC fleets with the early roll-out of electric vehicles (2011) and administered provincial incentives for the installation of new public and fleet charging stations (2012-2013).

Tyler Mattheis and Wes Bergmann of AdvantageHOPE check out the installation of a new EV charging station in the District of Hope by Norm Losier of R & N Electric (right). The station is a joint project of AdvantageHOPE, the District of Hope and R&N Electric, with support from the CCI Fund.

In 2014 Plug in BC is helping to build public awareness of EVs and charging stations. FBC is again proud to play a role. Watch for details!

The First EV Roll-outs

FBC helped the early work of Plug in BC by linking up auto manufacturers and BC fleets that were ready to introduce plug-in electric vehicle.

This led to roll-out of BC’s first Mitsubishi iMiev, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and Mercedes-Benz Smart Fortwo Electric in 2011.

Charging Stations and Planning Incentives

In 2012-2013 the focus was on creating a network of electric vehicle charging stations, and FBC administered two provincial incentive programs.

The Community Charging Infrastructure (CCI) Fund incentive supported the purchase and installation of new electric charging stations accessible to the public or fleets. Many regional districts, municipalities, businesses, public institutions and other organizations across BC took up the funding in 2012 to purchase and install one or more eligible level 2 electric vehicle charging stations. Each successful applicant obtained funding for 75% of eligible costs of a station, to a maximum of $4,000 per station.

The Planning Process Incentive helped regional districts, municipal governments and First Nations in BC to host a community-wide or regional planning process related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Twelve local governments applied for and received incentive funding: the Capital Regional District, City of Campbell River, City of Dawson Creek, City of Duncan, City of Fort St. John, City of Merritt, City of Nanaimo, City of Terrace, District of Sechelt, Metro Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler and Regional District of Nanaimo.

Each received 75% of eligible planning costs, to a maximum of $6,000, plus an amount based on population of the participating community or communities ($0.10 per capita), not to exceed $75,000 in total funding.

In the fall of 2012, these communities worked with local businesses and stakeholders to identify key locations for a specific number of charging stations, with charging station incentive funding pre-approved.

Installation of the new charging stations under both incentives completed in 2013. Metro Vancouver understook a parallel planning and incentive process within the overall Plug-in BC initiative.

Learn More

Visit www.pluginbc.ca for the latest updates.

Questions? Contact Charlotte Argue, Assistant Manager, Climate Change and Air Quality.