Coquitlam is completing another significant expansion of its electric vehicle charging network this spring.
COQUITLAM, B.C., March 24, 2021 – Coquitlam is completing another significant expansion of its electric vehicle charging network this spring.
Through Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, the City of Coquitlam will be installing EV charging stations at four new locations, serving an additional 10 parking stalls. This will bring the total number of City-owned, user-pay, Level 2, electric vehicle locations to 10, serving a total of 25 parking stalls. In spring 2020, the City installed the first set of ports through the federal government program which included six charging stations at four locations, serving 11 parking stalls.
New Locations
The five new dual stations will provide 10 ports at four new locations and are similar to the existing dual-port stations that permit up to two hours of charging.
The City will be installing the new stations throughout the spring at the following locations:
- Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave.): one dual station located in south parking lot (off Nelson Street) – end of March
- Emerson Street: one dual station located on street just south of Como Lake Avenue – end of April
- Innovation/Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way): two dual stations located within the adjacent pay parking lot – end of April
- Burke Mountain Discovery Centre (3537 Princeton Ave.): one dual station located within the associated parking lot – end of May
The stations can be used by anyone with a ChargePoint or Flo account. All public EV charging station locations can be found at www.plugshare.com. To support EV use in the community, the City has also posted information and a map of charging stations at www.coquitlam.ca/evcharging.
Improving EV Charging Access
The expansion of the City’s EV charging network focuses on high-traffic areas while addressing neighbourhoods that are currently underserved.
It will also support those who own – or wish to own – EVs but live in multi-family buildings that don’t accommodate EV charging. EV charging infrastructure has been required for all new multi-family developments in Coquitlam since 2018.
The public stations are intended for active charging, not long-term parking. To cover costs and promote turnover to serve more EV drivers, the City stations charge $1 an hour for the first two hours and increases to $5 hour after that (motorists parking for more than 2 hours may receive a parking ticket). The cost for the EV charging is in addition to any pay parking fees associated with the parking facility.
Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, administered by Natural Resources Canada, is contributing $5,000 per parking stall served – between one-third and one-half of the cost. Funding for the remaining portion is budgeted through the City’s capital plan.
Coquitlam Addresses Climate Change
Coquitlam signed the Climate Action Charter in 2007 and strengthened that commitment in December of 2019, when Council endorsed a motion calling on all levels of government globally to act with more urgency to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The City of Coquitlam is committed to reducing GHG emissions by evolving the City’s fleet through the integration of low carbon and zero emissions vehicles and EV charging infrastructure in our corporate operations. Coquitlam currently has a growing ‘Ecofleet’ of electric, hybrid and fuel-efficient compact vehicles that includes three electric vehicles, eight hybrid vehicles, three electric mini-dump trucks and three electric Zambonis.
The City’s commitment to the environment has translated into a variety of activities and practices over the years including developing an Environmental Sustainability Plan, Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan, monitoring building energy use, educating staff and using energy-sharing systems, LED lighting, programmable thermostats and waste-heat recovery systems. The City also promotes energy conservation to the community, including energy rebate programs and tips for residents and businesses.
These efforts will support Coquitlam’s goal to reduce corporate GHG emissions to 40 per cent below 2007 levels by 2025. For more information on Coquitlam’s climate change initiatives, visit www.coquitlam.ca/climateaction.
Media contact:
Dan G. Mooney
Senior Advisor -Traffic and Street Use Management
City of Coquitlam
604-961-3221
dmooney@coquitlam.ca