The Canadian government has announced a C$380,000 ($288,340) investment to help the town of Summerland in British Columbia build 22 electric vehicle, or EV, chargers as part of the country's commitment to realizing a low-carbon future.
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O'Regan announced the federal funding on Aug. 18 and said it would be provided through the Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative, or EVAFIDI, and the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
The investment is on top of the C$150,000 the Government of British Columbia is investing in the project.
The project will include the installation of six EV fast chargers and 16 level two EV chargers at various public sites, including the city's commercial businesses and its Tourist Information Centre, and the first site is scheduled to open before the end of 2020.
The government said the investment was part of its commitments to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and the provincial government's goal of reducing emissions by 80% in the same timeframe.
"We are providing greener options for Canadians to drive where they want to go. This is how we get to net zero by 2050," O'Regan said.
Provincial Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Bruce Ralston said the province's CleanBC strategy was working toward making it more convenient for people in British Columbia to switch to an EV.
"These investments in new, public fast-charging stations in Summerland will make it easier for drivers to charge up, putting BC on the road to a clean energy future," he said.
The Canadian government is also aiming to reach a target of 100% zero-emission passenger vehicle sales by 2040 and to this end has provided over C$300 million for the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of EV fast chargers and EV charging in localized areas, as well as natural gas refuelling stations along key freight corridors and hydrogen stations in metropolitan centres.
