Victoria debuts first neighbourhood EV fast charging station
The City of Victoria has opened its first neighbourhood electric vehicle fast charging station as part of a program to expand green infrastructure across the city.
The two 50-kilowatt Direct Current Fast Chargers have opened in the Bay Street parking lot at Vic West Park, and officials celebrated the opening Saturday with a community event showcasing EV charging and providing information on switching to an electric vehicle.
Direct Current Fast Chargers provide "a significantly faster charge" than Level 2 EV chargers, the city says in a statement, noting that they can provide an 80 per cent charge in about an hour, depending on the make, model and battery of the vehicle being charged.
The city says its Electric Vehicle and Electric Mobility Strategy will see 30 EV fast chargers installed near apartments and other multi-family housing units over the next five years.
"The city’s Climate Leadership Plan sets a target for 30 per cent of passenger vehicles in Victoria to be renewably powered by the end of this decade, reaching 100 per cent by 2050," the city says in its release.
"As of Oct. 1, 2020, all residential properties must be EV charging ready and all new commercial developments must include at least 5 per cent of parking stalls that are energized and ready for EV chargers."
Across B.C., approximately 17 per cent of new car sales are electric. That's double the Canada-wide average of 8.5 per cent.
Victoria's 2022 municipal budget invests $1.5 million in electric vehicle infrastructure, with additional funding provided by the province and the federal government.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.