RDOS enters agreement for fast charging station

PENTICTON – It will soon be more convenient to drive an electric car from Penticton to Vancouver.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen directors have entered into an agreement with Sunshine Valley Recreation Inc. to lease space for a DC Fast Charging station in Manning Park.

The regional district board also agreed to contract BC Hydro to operate and maintain the unit.

A staff report to the board explained the DC Fast Chargers — high powered electric vehicle charging stations — dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to charge an electric vehicle. Locating the station on the route to the Lower Mainland would provide encouragement for electric vehicle users to drive long distances as well as promote electric vehicle tourism.

BC Hydro is bearing the cost of installation, while the regional district covers the cost of operation and maintenance, according to the report. Annual cost to operate the station is estimated at $12 per year and an annual network service fee of $261. Electrical costs include a fixed payment of $75 per billing period and cost of electricity used for charging, typically $2 per charging session.

The site will be operated and maintained by Manning Park personnel, which will be located near Manning Park Lodge.

The station is expected to be in operation by late July.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.