Canadian Legislative Updates
City of Vancouver Launches Electric Vehicle Initiative
The City of Vancouver has launched a pilot project that will see electric vehicle charging stations positioned at various locations around the city. The $800,000 pilot project has been made possible through investments from the Governments of Canada and British Columbia, BC Hydro, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the City.
The trial initiative, dubbed Charge and Go Vancouver, will involve the installation of up to sixty seven Level I (110V) and Level II (240V) electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout the city by the end of 2013. The new stations will help to speed up the use of plug-in EVs in Vancouver.
All key players have highlighted their commitment to assisting municipalities reach their goals to contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for all Canadians. These initiatives will allow for a greener future for citizens and provide more options for consumers to make greener transportation choices.
This pilot project will evaluate the opportunities and barriers, processes, costs and ideal locations for the installation of EV charging infrastructure. The price for public charging will vary depending on the location, but will be set to encourage the use of electric vehicles.
The Union des Municipalités du Québec Announces Support for The Electric Circuit
The Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) has signed an agreement letter with the Founding partners of The Electric Circuit and Hydro-Québec, which highlights that the UMQ will take the lead on communications and offer front-line services to the more than 300 members associated with the development and roll-out of The Electric Circuit.
The Electric Circuit is Québec and Canada’s first public charging network for plug-in electric vehicles. The project is a major step in spearheading the charging infrastructure required to support the arrival of plug-in electric vehicles in Québec, and aligns with the Québec government’s 2011-2020 Action Plan for Electric Vehicles.
The project’s first ninety 240-V charging stations will be ready for use by the public in March 2012. An additional thirty charging stations will be added by the summer. The public charging network will play a vital role in helping to meet drivers’ backup or emergency needs.
This new partnership will allow key players to plan the relevant infrastructure and help meet customers’ needs throughout the province.
