Getting a real charge out of new thinking

Increase in EV stations sign West Coast is on right track

It’s rare that a day goes by that I don’t have a conversation about the advancements being made in the automotive industry.

Most recently those conversations have revolved around progress in the electric vehicle (EV) space, more specifically the infrastructure to support the fast-growing network of EVs.

On the heels of the recent announcement of an expansion to the West Coast Green Highway project, comes news that British Columbia will see the rollout of new charging options across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, up the Sea to Sky Highway, into the Interior and on Vancouver Island, according to reports.

In the City of Vancouver there are 67 EV charging stations as part of the Charge and Go Vancouver Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure pilot project.

You’ll find those stations in a variety of locations, including shopping centres, community centres, parks, as well as in some commercial, office and condo parking lots.

I was thrilled to learn that in the past year, EV drivers have charged up more than 3,400 times at city-owned public stations.

To give you an idea of the speed of progress, the city owned 16 public charging stations earlier this spring, and hopes to have close to 65 public stations, plus a dozen more located in four multifamily housing sites, installed by the end of this year.

From my perspective, this represents a fantastic new way of thinking.

The west coast is known for its dedication to sustainability.

But while encouraging walking, cycling and public transit as preferred modes of transportation to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, cities like Vancouver also recognize cars and trucks will be on our roads for many years to come.

Therefore, infrastructure to support and accelerate the shift toward low carbon vehicles is essential.

Vancouver’s pilot project, unique to Canada ,is designed to understand the implications of providing charging infrastructure in a broad range of settings — at home, work and on the go.

The city is also testing several different vendors that offer a variety of station types.

I look forward to seeing the results.

For more information on the City of Vancouver’s electric vehicle initiatives, visit vancouver.ca/electricvehicles.

For more information on charging and fuelling stations across B.C., visit cevforbc.ca. Auto Notes

I’d like to extend a note of congratulations to the recipients of the 2013 CarCareerBC bursary program.

The New Car Dealers Foundation of B.C. has taken a leadership role with youth entering the automotive field.

The 2013 grants were recently awarded, and $30,500 was distributed to individuals throughout British Columbia.

The grants were issued in a variety of forms, all with the intent of assisting with postsecondary education and training.

Blair Qualey is president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. Readers can contact him at bqualey@newcardealers.ca