electric vehicles
New EV chargers were installed in public parking locations across Whistler. Credit: Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash.

Resort Municipality of Whistler has received investment from the Government of Canada for the installation of new electric vehicle (EC) chargers in various locations.

The investment is intended to cut emissions by making electric vehicles more accessible.

The latest move comes as the government aims to build a clean energy future to strengthen the economy, create good jobs and support natural resource sectors.

The $117,755 investment was used to install 25 chargers in public parking locations across Whistler.

They were installed in the main parking access to Whistler Village, Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, Whistler Conference Centre, the municipal works yard, and the Whistler library and health centre, among others.

At present, the EV chargers are available for use by the public.

Canada Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan said: “We are providing greener options for Canadians to drive where they want to go. This is how we get to net zero by 2050.”

For this initiative, the Resort Municipality of Whistler is also providing the same amount.

Federal funding is offered through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a part of the government’s target to have all new passenger vehicles sold in the country be zero-emission vehicles by the year 2040.

More than $300m was provided by the Government of Canada to support the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of fast chargers for electric vehicles.

Natural gas refuelling stations were also established along key freight corridors and hydrogen stations in metropolitan centres.

With the infrastructure resulting from these investments, people will be able to drive and charge their vehicles across Canada.

Resort Municipality of Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton said: “Thank you to the Government of Canada and the Province of BC for providing this funding to make climate action initiatives like this possible. This is an exciting opportunity to encourage zero-emission vehicle travel to and from Whistler.”