KAMLOOPS – Following the installation of the Level II electric vehicle charging station at the Visitor Information Centre last summer, the City of Kamloops received further funding from the Province of British Columbia and support from B.C. Hydro  to install a new direct current (DC) fast-charging station at the Tournament Capital Centre.

The new fast-charging station installed at the TCC near Hillside Stadium provides convenient access for electric car owners to charge their vehicles to 80 per cent of full charge within 30 minutes. This station is one of 13 DC fast-charging stations being installed along B.C.’s portion of the West Coast Green Highway by March 31.

Funded by the B.C. government under the previously announced $14.3-million provincial Clean Energy Vehicle Program, the project is managed by BC Hydro. B.C. Hydro will continue to own the DC fast-chargers, while participating communities provide access to municipal land to host and operate the stations.

“Encouraging the use of electric vehicles will help the City of Kamloops reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with our Sustainable Kamloops Plan. This initiative also supports the Kamloops Airshed Management Plan's first strategy which is to encourage sustainable methods of transportation,” said Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar.

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA and Health Minister Dr. Terry Lake commented, “It’s an exciting day for Kamloops as we unveil one of 13 provincially-funded fast-charging stations being installed in British Columbia. Providing many electric vehicle owners with the ability to quickly recharge their vehicles will help make Kamloops a choice destination for an increasing number of electric vehicle enthusiasts.”

“The official opening of the Kamloops fast-charging station marks an important milestone for B.C.’s Clean Energy Vehicle Program. Providing a strategically located network of fast chargers throughout the province will allow more travel options for current electric vehicle owners, and will help encourage even higher electric vehicle adoption rates,” said Kamloops-South Thompson MLA and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone.

Kip Morison, Chief Technology Officer for B.C. Hydro said, “The new fast charger demonstrates B.C. Hydro’s commitment to clean power solutions, and provide a safe and reliable electrical supply for electric vehicles in British Columbia. The charger is in high demand among drivers of these cars, and its location in Kamloops expands the usability of these vehicles to the interior of B.C.”

The Level II charging station that was installed in March 2013 at the Visitor Centre was part of the Community Charging Infrastructure (CCI) Fund that has seen 452 public charging stations installed across municipalities, regional governments, First Nations, businesses and institutions in B.C. The CCI Fund is managed, administered and promoted by the Fraser Basin Council on behalf of the Province.

According to LiveSmart B.C., in 2010, 60 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions in Kamloops originated from on-road transportation activities. The City of Kamloops is taking steps to combat this, including acquiring its first fully electric vehicle, which is a Nissan Leaf. The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department has entered in a sponsorship agreement with Nissan Canada through River City Nissan. This car is part of a marketing strategy to promote low-emission driving in the community. Watch for this innovative ride on display at Tournament Capital Centre and at City events. It will also be on the road driven by the Sustainable Kamloops team.

The Sustainable Kamloops Plan goals that will be directly supported from this new fast-charging station and new electric vehicle include: helping to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels for transportation locally by 25 per cent by 2020; reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions to 2.4 tonnes per capita by 2020; and encouraging the use of alternate fuelled motor vehicles in the community.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014