Ottawa investing $22.7 for EV charging stations in B.C.

The federal government announced funding on Wednesday to install more than 480 electric vehicle charging stations in British Columbia. 

Federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said the $22.7 million investment will go toward eight installation projects by BC Hydro, the City of Victoria and the  District of Saanich.

Robertson said the chargers will be located in high-demand areas and busy highway corridors. 

Photo of an EV charging station
An EV charging station in downtown Victoria. | Emily Joveski, Vista Radio photo

He made the announcement on behalf of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson. 

“Through these projects, we are delivering practical, on-the-ground solutions to improve EV charging availability for British Columbians,” said Hodgson in a statement. “Investments like this are how we build a cleaner, more secure and more competitive economy.”

The B.C. government said in May there were more than 5,000 charging stations across the province.

B.C. Hydro said it operates close to 700 charging ports at 148 sites in B.C., with plans to expand its network to 800 charging ports by next spring. 

Emily Joveski
Emily Joveski
Emily Joveski is the provincial news reporter for Vista Radio, based in Victoria B.C. She has worked in radio for more than a decade, and was previously on the airwaves as a broadcaster for The Canadian Press in Toronto. When she's not at her desk, she might be found exploring Vancouver Island or loitering in a local book store.

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