ABOUT CHARGE NORTH - PROJECT HISTORY
Across Canada, electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure installation and EV adoption have been concentrated in urban centres. Yet, it is the rural regions of Canada that have the highest transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, the fewest options with respect to active transportation and public transit as alternatives to personal driving, and communities with services that are often spread out and designed around automobiles.
In 2018, the Community Energy Association presented local governments with a unique opportunity to work together to address regional greenhouse gas transportation emissions. The concept was based on CEA’s experiences in facilitating Accelerate Kootenays, Canada's first community-driven, clean transportation network, and Peaks to Prairies, in southern Alberta.
Six regional districts responded and began to explore how a regional approach to installing EV adoption would advance shared priorities around economic development, enhanced tourism, and lowering emissions from transportation.
These 6 regional districts partnered with CEA to complete a Charge North Feasibility Report feasibility report that was funded by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and outlined a network that would allow residents and visitors to travel to and within the region in an EV. This report subsequently informed the locations for fast-charging infrastructure in the region that is being installed by BC Hydro and the Government of BC.
Today, Charge North is facilitated by the Community Energy Association together with an Advisory Committee made up of representatives from the regional districts and the Northern BC Tourism Association.
