June 13, 2016 – At a recent electric vehicle car rally in Chilliwack, B.C., the provincial government announced it is providing $600,000 under the Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Program to “encourage and accelerate the use of electric vehicles in public and private fleets”.

B.C. has the largest public charging infrastructure network in Canada, according to the province, as well as the highest per capita adoption of electric vehicles.

The Fleet Champions Program (FCP) will provide financial incentives, training and education, business support and technical assistance to help fleet operators add EVs, including:

• Incentives of 33% of the total cost up to $2000 for the purchase and installation of Level 2 charging stations in fleet parking areas;
• Education and training seminars, webinars and workshops for fleet managers and staff to provide information regarding EV benefits, guides and operational requirements;
• Support for fleets to develop, as necessary, the business case for adding EVs, including infrastructure installation;
• A dedicated website with information and tools for any fleets in B.C. interested in adopting EVs.

“Adding electric vehicles is a great way for fleets to reduce their fuel and vehicle maintenance costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and EVs offer an unparalleled quiet and responsive ride for workers who spend a lot of time on the road”, said Bill Bennett, minister of Energy and Mines. “Our new Fleet Champions Program will provide business, technical and financial incentives to help fleet operators make the move to clean, green electric vehicles.”

The FCP will be managed on behalf of the Province by the Fraser Basin Council.

Under the Province’s CEV Program (introduced in 2011), public and private fleets are also eligible for point-of-sale incentives of up to $5000 for the purchase or lease of a new battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

The Chilliwack rally also celebrated the launch of two fast charging stations in the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD). Since 2013, the FVRD says it has installed five charging stations and added two EVs to its fleet.

John Martin, MLA for Chilliwack, shows off an electric vehicle.