The City of Victoria has opened its first neighborhood electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station in Victoria West, as part of a program to expand EV infrastructure across the city.
Two 50 kilowatt Direct Current Fast Chargers have opened in the Bay Street parking lot at Vic West Park and are the first of many fast charging stations coming to Victoria neighborhoods.
30 EV fast chargers
To support the transition to electric and make EV charging more accessible for everyone, the City will install 30 EV fast chargers in neighborhoods near multi-family housing, such as apartments, over the next five years as part of the City’s Electric Vehicle and Electric Mobility Strategy.
A $1.5 million investment in EV infrastructure is part of the City’s 2022 budget with additional funding from the Province of British Columbia and the Federal Government.
Direct Current Fast Chargers
Direct Current Fast Chargers can provide an 80% charge in about an hour depending on the make, model
Direct Current Fast Chargers provide a significantly faster charge than Level 2 EV chargers, as they can provide an 80 percent charge in about an hour depending on the make, model, and battery of the EV.
The City gratefully acknowledges the financial support for this project from the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation through the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program.
Victoria West EV chargers
The City celebrated the opening of the Victoria West EV chargers with a community event showcasing EV charging and information on making the switch to electric. Representatives from the Capital Regional District were also at the event to promote the Charge Your Ride regional EV and E-bike awareness program.
The installation of the Victoria West chargers will help expand the network of EV charging infrastructure throughout the region. British Columbia is leading Canada in EV adoption with 17 percent of new car sales being electric; the Canadian average is 8.5 percent.
City’s Climate Leadership Plan
The City’s Climate Leadership Plan sets a target for 30 percent of passenger vehicles in Victoria to be renewably powered by the end of the decade, reaching 100 percent by 2050.
As of October 1, 2020, all residential properties must be EV charging ready and all new commercial developments must include at least 5 percent of parking stalls that are energized and ready for EV chargers.
