BCSEA SUPPORTS OFF-GRID EV CHARGING STATIONS

Source: Bill Andrews & Tom Hackney | · BCSEA · | April 17, 2024

BCSEA joined with the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association in supporting BCUC approval of BC Hydro’s proposed expenditures to set up, own and operate five off-grid public fast EV charging stations at locations on Highways 37 and 97 in Northern BC en route to Yukon. 

Each project would involve a shipping container with two DC Fast Charging stations, propane electric generation and a propane tank. The facilities would be for public EV charging only; not for other loads. The rates for EV charging service would be the same as for EV charging service at other BC Hydro public EV charging sites. The rates were approved by the BCUC in March 2024, with support from BCSEA and VEVA (see our Policy Corner article). Funding for the off-grid public EV charging stations would come initially from CleanBC. If approved, the stations would be operational later in 2024.

In an 8 April 2024 letter of comment, BCSEA and VEVA supported the proposal because it would help fill the gaps in the availability of public EV fast charging services on remote highways in BC. In doing so, the proposed new off-grid public EV charging stations would enhance the uptake of EVs in the Province by reducing potential range anxiety by potential purchasers of EVs.

However, BCSEA and VEVA are acutely aware that these off-grid charging stations would use fossil-fuel propane to generate electricity. While propane generation may be the only practical way to have reliable stations operational within the current year, BCSEA and VEVA strongly urged BC Hydro to pursue zero-carbon electricity sources expeditiously.