British Columbia

Electric vehicle charging station rebates rolled out in B.C.

The province of B.C. is offering drivers further incentives to switch to electric-powered vehicles.

$688,500 program covers up to 75 per cent of cost to install charging stations

A EV charger plugged into a white car.
Volunteer firefighters in Saskatchewan are facing a new set of safety challenges when responding to collisions involving electric and hybrid vehicles. (Toby Talbot/Associated Press)

The province of B.C. is offering drivers further incentives to switch to electric-powered vehicles. 

The government is devoting nearly $700,000 towards a program aimed at increasing the number of charging stations in multi-unit residential buildings like apartment blocks and strata complexes.  

Owners, building managers and strata councils can apply online for a rebate of up to 75 per cent of the total cost of installing a charging station.

B.C. Emergency Preparedness Minister Naomi Yamamoto made the announcement yesterday at the Vancouver International Auto Show. 

The plan follows a provincial announcement earlier this month that electric vehicles will be permitted to use B.C.'s high occupancy vehicle lanes passenger-free. 

Yamamoto says B.C. currently has the highest rate in Canada of drivers switching to electric vehicles.