91原创 Township plans to build a host of new electric vehicle chargers for its own staff and the RCMP, in anticipation of more EVs being added to the civic fleet over the next few years.

On Monday, June 26 the council approved $3.5 million for a number of new additions to the Township鈥檚 vehicle fleet and its infrastructure.

The big ticket items were mostly work trucks and heavy equipment, which have to be replaced on a regular basis as they age.

But the acquisitions also included funding for 61 EV chargers, with six for Firehall 6, 13 for the RCMP headquarters, 27 for the Township鈥檚 Operations yard, and 15 for the Civic Facility. The chargers would cost $1.5 million in total.

鈥淪ixty-one chargers is a lot in one swoop,鈥� noted Coun. Misty Van Popta, who asked why so many were to be approved all at once, and how many electric vehicles (EVs) the Township actually has now.

Director of engineering Roeland Zwaag said there are between 15 and 20 EV vehicles in service with the Township now. The new spending includes paying for another six electric cars.

Although the number of chargers is high, Zwaag noted that right now there are federal and BC Hydro grants that allow municipal governments to access funds for building more EV charging stations now.

Out of the $1.5 million budget, $315,000 can come from a federal grant, and $136,000 can be paid for with a BC Hydro grant, according to a report to the council.

The Township can build the chargers now and have them in place as the municipal EV fleet expands, Zwaag said, while the grants are available.

Mayor Eric Woodward noted during the discussion that the RCMP does use EVs as well.

Council approved the spending unanimously. Most of the money will come from a reserve fund for vehicles, which will still have $1.8 million left in it after this budget.

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