Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
(File photo/Vernon Matters Staff)
Northeast of Vernon

New EV chargers coming to North Okanagan

Aug 31, 2021 | 11:15 AM

The B.C. Government is investing in four new electric vehicle charging sites, one of which is located in the North Okanagan.

British Columbia’s charging network currently involves 2,000 public Level 2 charging stations, and 200 public fast-charging sites consisting of over 480 fast-charging stations.

This fall, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will install four new electric vehicle charging stations sites, each of which will consist of two fast charges and one Level 2 charger, making up a total of 12 charging stations.

They will be located at:

  • Una rest area about 30 kilometres northeast of Vernon on Highway 97
  • Motz Road just east of Terrace near the Thornhill Roundabout off Highway 37
  • Mount Terry Fox rest area, nine kilometres east of Tête Jaune Cache on Highway 16
  • Hanceville Lookout rest area near Hanceville which is about 85 kilometres west of Williams Lake on Highway 20

“Our growing EV charging network is making it easier and safer for people who own electric vehicles to travel around the province,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“Now, British Columbians can choose greener transportation options, which is part of our commitment to a cleaner, stronger economy.”

Westcana Electric Inc. has been hired to build these new stations, and it’s expected that construction will be complete by late December 2021 and the sites ready to open to the public in early 2022.

The installation of the four charging sites will bring the number of sites located along B.C.’s highways up to 26.

The province says making electric vehicles more affordable, investing in charging station and ensuring a greater availability of zero-emission vehicles are part of the CleanBC Plan, which is intended to create a pathway to a more sustainable future.

View Comments