We’ve known for months now that BC Hydro is planning on putting new electric vehicle chargers into the parking lot across from the inn.
In fact, it was in May of 2020 that the town was first approached by BC Hydro to participate in the BC Clean Energy Vehicle Program.
In March, the District signed an agreement with BC Hydro to build a pair of chargers in town.
At the time, the plan was to have the chargers up and running by this month.
But plans have changed. And those plans are for the better.
Currently, BC Hydro operates a network of 50 kilowatt DC fast chargers, alongside some 25 kilowatt “mini” fast chargers and Level 2 chargers at select stations. “Most stations currently have a single DC fast charger but as usage grows, we’re upgrading stations with a second fast charger,” says the BC Hydro Fast Charging Network page.
But on September 8, BC Hydro announced it is taking charging to the next (power) level, by adding higher-powered chargers to its fast-charging network.
The new chargers were on display at the Fully Charged LIVE Canada event in Vancouver over the weekend, allowing people to get up close and personal with the chargers.
Instead of getting 50 kilowatt units, Tumbler Ridge will be getting 180 kilowatt charging units. According to BC Hydro, this means that electric vehicles can add up to 180 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes.
While this is less than the Tesla Superchargers, which offer up to 250 kilowatts, the new charging stations will be some of the fastest in Northern BC.
BC Hydro has announced a similar charge station in Mackenzie, as well as Manning Park and Surrey, both in Southwest BC.
“BC is a leader in electric vehicle adoption and has one of the largest public electric vehicle charging networks in Canada, and we are committed to providing more options for drivers looking to charge their vehicles, especially if they are short on time,” says Hon. Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “These new higher-powered chargers have the ability to charge electric vehicles in a fraction of the time.”
But wait, as they say, there’s more. Because while there will be two charge stations in town, each unit will offer dual charging.
This will allow up to four customers to charge at the same time, splitting the charge between the vehicles.
If both vehicles can accept a fast charge, the unit will split the charge, providing 90 kilowatts to both vehicles.
While Electric Vehicles have not been a common sight in Tumbler Ridge, that’s changing, with more than 120,000 EVs on the road in BC already, a number expected to grow to close to a million in the next decade.
“Our recent research found that of the 40 per cent of British Columbians looking to purchase a new vehicle in the next three years, many are considering an electric vehicle,” says Chris O’Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. “We are listening to the feedback from our customers who tell us they are looking for more charging options and higher-powered chargers to join our fast charging network, and we are excited to begin the installation of these 180-kilowatt units later this fall.”
BC Hydro currently offers 153 charging units at 84 sites in communities throughout BC. BC Hydro is looking to add 3,000 ports to its network over the next ten years. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of BC and Natural Resources Canada.
“BC is a great place to drive an electric vehicle as 98 per cent of electricity generated comes from clean and renewable resources, helping drivers significantly reduce their carbon footprint”, says BC Hydro.
However, the upgraded chargers means that installation will be delayed. There is currently no timeline, but the hope is to start installing them “before the end of the year.”
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
