Whistler receives provincial funding to promote electric vehicles

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) recently received $23,596 from the provincial government in support of the installation of six new Level II electrical vehicle charging stations.

As part of the $2.7 million Community Charging Infrastructure (CCI) Fund announced in April by Minister of Environment Terry Lake, 71 organizations have been approved through an Early Bird Application process for charging station incentives. These organizations will receive 75 per cent of the cost through the fund, up to $4,000 per station, to purchase and install 286 level two charging stations.

In addition to the charging station incentives, Whistler was selected as one of 12 local municipal/regional governments that will receive funding to help plan and identify priority locations for additional stations.

The municipality currently has five charging stations in Whistler, one in the municipal hall parking lot and four more at the Whistler Conference Centre.

“The goal is to make electric vehicle charging more widely available to local and visiting drivers, and to position Whistler as part of the “green highway”,” said Ted Battiston, Special Projects Manager with the RMOW. “If you own an electric vehicle or have ever thought of purchasing one, it will now be easier to recharge at new charging stations throughout the province.”

The RMOW plans to install one new station at the Public Works Yard, a second at the Meadow Park Sports Centre and four more in Day Lot 1.

Provincial funding will see four additional new stations facilitated with the private sector in Whistler. The RMOW has plans to assist companies in applying for grants to install additional charging stations. The Whistler Centre for Sustainability is concurrently reaching out to the local business community to seek interest and viable locations.

Click here to read the complete news release from the Province of BC.