Saanich announced the opening of 20 public electric-vehicle-charging stations Wednesday, with plans for more.
The charging stations are located at eight recreation facilities and parks in the district, which now has 32 of its own stations. Other public charging stations at locations such as shopping malls bring the overall Saanich network to 115.
Saanich charges $1 per hour for use of the charging stations to encourage turnover and cover maintenance and electricity costs.
Saanich Coun Colin Plant, who also serves as chairman of the Capital Regional District, said the transition to electric vehicles is a key priority for the CRD Climate Action Strategy.
Plant, who owns two electric vehicles, said the CRD and Saanich have a shared goal of 770 new public level-two stations by 2030 in an effort to accelerate EV ownership across the region.
The CRD has set a target of 25 per cent electric-vehicle ownership in the region by that year.
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes said that with Wednesday’s announcement “we are celebrating a modern, more convenient future of electric mobility that benefits us all.”
The municipality received $100,000 in funding through the Natural Resources Canada Zero Emissions Vehicle Incentive Program for adding chargers.
Locations of Saanich's new EV charging sites
• Saanich Commonwealth Place — six new stations and two existing stations
• Pearkes Recreation Centre — two new stations and two existing stations
• Cedar Hill Recreation Centre — two new stations and two existing stations
• Cedar Hill Golf Course — two new stations plus two existing stations
• Cadboro-Gyro Park — two new stations
• Mount Douglas Park — two new stations
• Hampton Park — two new stations
• Beckwith Park — two new stations
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