In May of 2020, the District of Tumbler Ridge was approached by BC Hydro to see if the town was interested in participating in the BC Clean Energy Vehicle Program.
The program is designed “to provide British Columbians with more affordable clean transportation options.”
Currently, operating electric vehicles (EVs) in the north is difficult due to lack of infrastructure. This program is designed to increase the availability of charging infrastructure.
In July of that year, the District signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the understanding that no obligation attached.
Last year, steps were taken in the selection of possible sites to locate the charging station.
Now the District and BC Hydro are in the process of signing an agreement to allow BC Hydro to “install, operate and maintain two electric vehicle fast charging stations on Southgate.”
Councillor Hofman asks if there is any real demand for this in town. Acting CAO Aleen Torraville says lack of infrastructure limits demand. “We have one charging station in front of the VIC currently,” she says. “As electric vehicles become more prevalent, there will be more demand. I think maybe we would be seeing more electric vehicles in the area if there were more charging stations, because right now, there aren’t that many.”
Councillor Hofman says he’s not convinced that EV in the North will be a thing any time soon. “Is there even a person in town with EV right now?”
Yes, there is, says the mayor, though he is quick to point out it isn’t him. Indeed, the charger at the VIC currently sees a fair bit of use in the winter as one of the nurses who comes in from Dawson charges there.
Councillor Norbury says we can be a part of the future or we can let it pass us by. “Electric vehicles are happening. One of my close friends has an EV. I’m looking at an EV for my next vehicle. They’re cheap. You can plug them in at home. BC Hydro wants this to be part of their infrastructure. When we look at how people are going to get around in the north, if we don’t have high speed charging stations, people are just going to skip us. I can easily see touring groups driving around the north with electric vehicles. If we don’t have high functioning chargers in town, we are going to miss out on that. Even if it is a trickle right now, it’s worth it. I’m in complete favour of this.”
Hofman says he’s still not convinced that the technology of EVs is going to be worthwhile in the next decade, but he says he’s convinced by Councillor Norbury’s argument.
The plan is to install the new charging stations in the parking lot behind the bank, across Southgate from the Inn, with room for a possible expansion for more charging stations.
According to BC Hydro, transportation accounts for about 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the province. In September 2021, BC Hydro revealed its Electrification Plan, with initiatives to encourage BC residents, businesses and industries to switch to hydroelectricity from fossil fuels to help reduce carbon emissions. The plan encourages switching from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles.
“As the primary fuel supplier for electric vehicles, we are building out charging infrastructure to ensure we can accommodate the volume and variety of electric vehicles that will be on BC roads in the coming years,” says Chris O’Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. “BC Hydro will have 325 charging units in its network at 145 sites by the end of 2025.”
Most of the costs will be borne by BC Hydro. They will purchase and own the Direct Current Fast Charge (DCFC) station and procure its installation and commissioning by a third-party contractor, provide or procure at its expense repair and maintenance services (including parts and labour as necessary) to ensure proper and reliable operation of the DCFC station, provide station signage to inform and designate the function of the DCFC station, and work with the district to provide site-level job aids to support on-site staff to understand the DCFC Station, on-site Host duties, and who to call for assistance.
There will be no charge to the District. Their role will be to keep the site available 24 hours a day, year round for the next decade. They will be responsible to keep the area around the site free of snow and debris, and provide and install in-town way-finding signs, directing drivers from nearby highways and freeways to the DCFC.
The plan is to have the station operational by September, 2023.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
