Thursday, March 28, 2024

Here’s where you can find 20 brand new EV charging stations in and around Saanich

Share

The District of Saanich unveiled twenty new public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at eight municipal sites Wednesday morning.

Since 2013, the District of Saanich has installed 32 public EV charging stations, part of an existing network of 115 public charging stations in Saanich.

“We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible for Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast,” Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources said in a press release Wednesday.

“Investing in more charging stations like the ones announced today in Saanich will allow more Canadians to be in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals.”

The twenty new stations are a result of Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Incentive Program (ZEVIP) which provided a $100,000 investment to deploy and install the chargers. 

The new stations are located at the following eight municipal sites, including four brand new locations at Saanich parks:

  • Saanich Commonwealth Place – 6 new stations (plus 2 existing stations)
  • G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre – 2 new stations (plus 2 existing stations)
  • Cedar Hill Recreation Centre – 2 new stations (plus 2 existing stations)
  • Cedar Hill Golf Course – 2 new stations (plus 2 existing stations)
  • Gyro-Cadboro Park – 2 new stations
  • Mount Douglas Park – 2 new stations
  • Hampton Park – 2 new stations
  • Beckwith Park – 2 new stations

There are now 115 public charging stations in Saanich. This includes 91 level 2 stations, eight DC Fast Charging (DCFC) stations and 16 Tesla Superchargers. 

“It’s very encouraging to see Saanich demonstrating leadership with an ‘if you build it, they will come’ approach – and I believe this recent partnership with Natural Resources Canada to add 20 new EV charging stations to the existing public network in the Capital Regional District exemplifies what’s needed to fight climate change,” said Colin Plant, Board Chair of the Capital Regional District.

“Our region’s transportation landscape is changing and, given the significant opportunity for reducing emissions that this shift to electric presents, this transition is a key priority for the CRD’s new Climate Action Strategy that we are discussing with municipalities right now. I’m confident that the CRD and Saanich will continue working together towards our shared goal of 770 new public level 2 stations by 2030 in an effort to help accelerate EV ownership across the region.” 

According to the release issued by the District of Saanich, the CRD has the highest rate of new EV registrations on a percentage basis in Canada. 

This high rate is expected to make the largest contribution toward Saanich’s target to cut GHG emissions in half by 2030. 

For more information on local EV Charging Station availability, visit Plug Share.

For instructions on how to access Saanich’s EV stations, visit Saanich’s electric vehicle website

Read more

Latest Stories