BC Hydro expands its electric vehicle fast charging site in Williams Lake

Courtesy of BC Hydro:

BC Hydro has doubled the number of chargers at its electric vehicle fast charging site in Williams Lake with the addition of a new 50-kilowatt charging unit.

"We are working to make it easier for drivers in B.C. to go electric and use more of B.C.'s clean, reliable hydroelectricity," says the Hon. Josie Osborne, BC's Minister of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation. "This charging location in Williams Lake will help make public charging more convenient as a growing number of people in the B.C. Interior make the switch to electric vehicles."

The Williams Lake site originally opened in January 2020 and is located at City Hall (450 Mart Street). The site was built with one 50-kilowatt charging unit. On December 29, an additional 50-kilowatt charging unit was brought into service. Each unit can add 50 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes. This updated location also includes a curbless design and lower displays on the new charger for better accessibility.

"The City of Williams Lake is proud to be part of the commitment to reduce community-wide emissions and increase the number of electric vehicles on the road," says Surinderpal Rathor, Mayor of Williams Lake. "Expanding the charging station at City Hall is another step toward this goal, and we would like to thank BC Hydro, the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada for investing in this important initiative."

Transportation accounts for about 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. In September 2021, BC Hydro revealed its Electrification Plan, with initiatives to encourage B.C. 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 B.C. roads in the coming years," says Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "BC Hydro will add 325 charging units to its network at 145 sites within the next five years."

BC Hydro's provincewide fast charging network currently includes 133 charging units at 81 sites in communities throughout B.C. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.