Pender Harbour has a new electric vehicle fast-charging site at the Harbour Spirit Centre.
The new 100-kilowatt charger installed Feb. 2 joins the existing 50-kilowatt charger, which was installed in November 2019. The new charger includes a curbless design and lower displays for better accessibility.
“This expanded charge site in Madeira Park will improve connectivity for electric vehicle drivers on the Sunshine Coast,” Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, said in a BC Hydro press release. “The location is also wheelchair accessible and has newly installed lighting to enhance safety for all users.”
A recent greenhouse gas emissions report for the Sunshine Coast Regional District found that on-road transportation accounted for 32 per cent of local emissions in 2019 (off-road transportation accounted for 16 per cent). Where diesel and gasoline accounted for 49 per cent of fuel emissions, electricity contributed three per cent of fuel emissions.
BC Hydro’s Electrification Plan includes initiatives to encourage the move from fossil fuels to hydroelectricity, including switching from gas-powered to electric cars.
“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,” Chris O’Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro, said in the release. “BC Hydro will have 325 charging units in its network at 145 sites by the end of 2025.”
– With files from Connie Jordison
