Charging stations now open in Kootenays

With this month’s opening of five electric vehicle Direct Current Fast Charging stations along Highway 3, the West Kootenays are now connected to surrounding regions for electric vehicle travel.

The stations are in Greenwood, Christina Lake, Castlegar, Salmo, and Creston. All are part of the broader Accelerate Kootenays initiative, which will ultimately lead to the installation of 13 fast chargers and 40 Level 2 chargers in communities across the Kootenays.

“Having these DCFCs operating makes travel in an EV quite simple,” said Rossland resident David Cornelius, who has logged over 90,000 kilometres in his Tesla 85D. “Now drivers can stop where they like, rather than where they must. Side explorations between chargers is vastly expanded: instead of being required to stretch a trip between two distant chargers, you’re at liberty to take a detour.”

The stations are owned and operated by FortisBC.

“When the Highway 3 mayors and chairs coalition initially identified EV travel as a priority for our communities and region, it was to both facilitate tourism to our many destinations, as well as support our long-term commitment to reducing our region’s transportation-related emissions.

“We are enormously proud to see the original vision come to fruition through an unprecedented collaboration,” said Castlegar Mayor Lawrence Chernoff.

“This Accelerate Kootenays network ensures our communities are on the map for EV travel,” said Grace McGregor, regional district director for Christina Lake.