UNBC to host ‘electric avenue’ of clean cars

Community and students at UNBC will have the chance to have their questions answered about clean energy vehicles during the university’s annual Green Day on Tuesday.

CEVforBC, an initiative of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., will have a display featuring clean energy vehicles, as well as information about government incentive programs available to prospective owners. The provincial government has partnered with the NCDA to provide incentives buyers of the green-friendly vehicles.

“If you’re buying a qualifying electric vehicle, and there’s a list of them on the Clean Energy Vehicle program website, you can get up to $5000 off the purchase price of the vehicle from the provincial government,” said Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the NCDA.

The event is designed to demystify some of the issues surrounding electric and hybrid vehicles. Qualey said the growth of fast charging stations throughout the province, as well as rising gas prices, has fuelled interest in these vehicles from more budgetconscious consumers.

“They’re not some bizarre, strange thing. It’s just another car, it just happens to have an electric motor and is pretty quiet,” Qualey said.

Qualey said potential owners of electric or hybrid vehicles still need better infrastructure throughout the province. Both Prince George city council and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort have voted to support an initiative by the Community Energy Association to establish electric vehicle charging stations along Highway 16 and 97 corridor.

“The biggest issue with consumers is range anxiety,” Qualey said.

“There needs to be a plan and a strategy in place for doing this in the right places where people live their lives.”

The CEVforBC will have a display set up at UNBC on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.