British Columbia leads Canada when it comes to embracing zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and the provincial government looks to keep it that way.

That香蕉视频直播檚 the message was relayed by Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation, as she announced on Tuesday that $26 million in new funding would be given out across the province for public charging stations.

香蕉视频直播淚n 2022, EVs made up over 18 per cent of new light-duty passenger vehicles sold,香蕉视频直播� said Osborne. 香蕉视频直播淭he highest percentage for any province or territory in Canada.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淭his year, B.C. scored the highest of any province or territory in Electric Mobility Canada香蕉视频直播檚 zero-emission vehicles scorecard.香蕉视频直播�

Osborne made the funding announcement in Maple Ridge, which she referred to as the new mile zero for B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 Electric Highway.

香蕉视频直播淢ore charging stations means that we香蕉视频直播檙e making EVs an easier choice for British Columbians and helping to reduce range anxiety,香蕉视频直播� said Osborne.

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George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, said that this $26 million in funding will help the government reach its goal of having 10,000 public EV charging stations in B.C. by 2030.

In the near future, 250 more public light-duty fast-charging stations will be constructed across B.C. with the new funding.

As ZEV sales rise in B.C., from 24,263 in 2021 to 30,004 in 2022, the need for these charging stations also increases, explained Osborne.

According to the government香蕉视频直播檚 Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, 26 per cent of light-duty vehicle sales must be ZEV by 2026, 90 per cent by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2035.

香蕉视频直播淥nce you have an electric vehicle, you still have to take care of it, so we香蕉视频直播檝e recently expanded the CleanBC go electric EV maintenance training program to more B.C. colleges,香蕉视频直播� said Osborne.

香蕉视频直播淪o now, more automotive technicians can upgrade their skills and more British Columbians will have the confidence to make the switch knowing that their electric vehicles are being serviced by a qualified professional.香蕉视频直播�

Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy called the funding a timely announcement as council prepares for Thursday香蕉视频直播檚 Climate Action Leadership Summit.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e pleased here in Maple Ridge to have invested in our own EV and hybrid fleet vehicles and charging facilities throughout the city to support our residents who are making cleaner transportation choices and looking for low-cost charging options,香蕉视频直播� said Ruimy.

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香蕉视频直播淲e look forward to the expansion of our public EV charging infrastructure that this funding will support in our own local community.香蕉视频直播�

Harry Constantine, president of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association, explained that this new funding will particularly help smaller communities like Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

香蕉视频直播淭his stands to benefit all British Columbians, including remote communities,香蕉视频直播� said Constantine. 香蕉视频直播淲e are very pleased to see the province investing in these measures.香蕉视频直播�