B.C. making it easier to buy zero-emission vehicles
Mark Zacharias, executive director, Clean Energy Canada –
“B.C.’s revised zero-emission vehicles-sales requirement will increase the availability of EVs in the province, providing more British Columbians access to vehicles that both save drivers money and improve air quality. Even when factoring in upfront costs, EVs are significantly cheaper to own than gas cars, in many cases saving families over $30,000 after a decade of ownership. Now more than ever, B.C. needs solutions that tackle the twin crises of climate change and worsening affordability.”
Chris O’Riley, president and chief executive officer, BC Hydro –
“B.C. is the ideal place to drive an electric vehicle because 98% of the power we generate comes from renewable resources. To combat growing climate-change challenges and achieve our emissions-reduction targets, we need to make the switch to 100% light-duty electric vehicles sales by 2035, and some of the ways we’re helping support are through home and workplace charger rebates, and the expansion of our public charging network to make EV driving more accessible for British Columbians.”
Doug Beckett, founder and facilitator, Prince George Electric Vehicle Association –
“In 2009, when we began driving our electric vehicle in Prince George, there were no charging stations. In those days you sought out RV campgrounds and welder shops to charge at or were satisfied with the slow charge from a wall plug. It is so much easier now that British Columbia has over 4,800 public-charging stations.”
Wendy Wall, president, board of directors, Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association –
“The CleanBC rebates for EV Ready Plans and electrical infrastructure have been a game-changer to increasing access to at-home charging for strata owners in B.C. The program encourages strategic planning, resulting in cost-effective installations and smart use of the building’s electrical capacity. The combined effect of rebates and changes to the Strata Property Act earlier this year means that stratas will be ready to meet the demand for charging stations as the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow.”