A mobile electric vehicle charging station has been launched in the East Kootenays.
Touted by Teck, Portable Electric and the Community Energy Association as Canada’s largest clean energy mobile charger, it’s intended to help spread awareness of green technology and its practicality in use across B.C.
The charger is equipped with two Level 2, 7-kilowatt chargers capable of providing 75km of range per hour of charging to electric vehicles, can charge multiple EVs at once and can be recharged itself through another EV station or solar power.
CEO and founder Mark Rabin of Portable Electric – the Vancouver-based company that developed the charger – said that it was key to bringing this technology to smaller communities.
“Portable Electric is surprised and humbled at the speed that the market for electric vehicles and clean infrastructure is evolving, and we feel strongly that initiatives like this will help bridge the gaps between connected grid infrastructure, ensuring that it’s not just big cities that will benefit from clean energy transportation,” he said.
The project is fully funded by local employer Teck Resources and builds on previous collaborative efforts to support EV adoption in the region.
Megan Lohmann of the Community Energy Association said that the project was emblematic of the sort of leadership needed to support a transition into a low carbon future.
“Leveraging the strengths of each of the partners, the mobile charger provides communities across the region with an opportunity to interact with emerging technology in a very tangible way,” she said.
“We are thrilled to support the Kootenays to continue to play a lead role in rural electric mobility initiatives.”
It doesn’t just charge electric vehicles – it can also charge up e-bikes and act as a generator for audio equipment, food trucks and more.
This summer it will be around the East Kootenays at farmers markets, community events and local concerts. Following the initial deployment, the charger will operate in the broader region year-round.
READ MORE: Electric Vehicles a rare sight (in the Kootenays), but change on the way
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