Coquitlam is piloting an expansion of its electric vehicle charging network with six units of Level 1 chargers.
COQUITLAM, BC, July 7, 2021 – Coquitlam is piloting an expansion of its electric vehicle charging network this summer with six units of Level 1 charging stations.
Coquitlam recently installed six, Level 1 EV charging stations at two locations serving up to six vehicles as part of an initial pilot:
- three units within the City Hall visitor parkade (3000 Guildford Way - opposite existing Level 2 chargers), and
- three at the Coquitlam City Centre Public Library (1169 Pinetree Way - off the initial driving aisle).
During the pilot project there will be no user cost for the Level 1 stations. However, the City will be using this period to observe the usage to determine future user fees.
New Level 1 Charging Stations
These Level 1 units are meant for long-duration charging including, 4+ hours, or overnight charging.
At the library location, visitors will be permitted to charge their vehicle up to 4-hours, in-line with the current parking restrictions, which includes no overnight parking.
For City Hall, the visitor portion of the parkade is open 24 hours allowing overnight charging between Monday and Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday. The standard 2-hour parking restrictions will continue to be enforced between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
With this option and locations available, the EV Level 1 stations will be able to support our neighbouring residential buildings where existing stratas don’t allow residents to charge.
EV Charging in Coquitlam
In spring 2020, the City installed a first set of Level 2 ports through Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, and more followed in the spring this year, bringing the current total number of City-owned, user-pay, Level 2, electric vehicle locations to nine and serving a total of 23 parking stalls. Another location will open up at the new Burke Mountain Discovery Centre later this summer.
To support EV use in the community, the City has posted information and a map of charging stations at www.coquitlam.ca/evcharging. All of the City’s public EV Charging stations are also shown on the Plugshare website at: https://www.plugshare.com/widget.html.
Improving EV Charging Access
The expansion of the City’s EV charging network focuses on high-traffic areas while addressing neighbourhoods that are currently underserved.
It will also support those who own – or wish to own – EVs but live in multi-family buildings that don’t accommodate EV charging. EV charging infrastructure has been required for all new multi-family developments in Coquitlam since 2018.
Coquitlam Addresses Climate Change
Coquitlam signed the Climate Action Charter in 2007 and strengthened that commitment in December of 2019, when Council endorsed a motion calling on all levels of government globally to act with more urgency to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The City of Coquitlam is committed to reducing GHG emissions by evolving the City’s fleet through the integration of low carbon and zero emissions vehicles and EV charging infrastructure in our corporate operations. Coquitlam currently has a growing ‘Ecofleet’ of electric, hybrid and fuel-efficient compact vehicles that includes three electric vehicles, eight hybrid vehicles, three electric mini-dump trucks and three electric Zambonis.
The City’s commitment to the environment has translated into a variety of activities and practices over the years including developing an Environmental Sustainability Plan, Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan, monitoring building energy use, educating staff and using energy-sharing systems, LED lighting, programmable thermostats and waste-heat recovery systems. The City also promotes energy conservation to the community, including energy rebate programs and tips for residents and businesses.
These efforts will support Coquitlam’s goal to reduce corporate GHG emissions to 40 per cent below 2007 levels by 2025. For more information on Coquitlam’s climate change initiatives, visit www.coquitlam.ca/climateaction.
Media contact:
Dragana Mitic
Manager, Transportation
Engineering & Public Works
604-927-4303
DMitic@coquitlam.ca