The City of Burnaby has completed construction on one of the largest designated electric vehicle parking lots in Canada, accelerating the City’s ability to transition to a zero-carbon City fleet.
The City received $500,000 through the Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program to retrofit the City Hall west parking lot with 100 EV chargers. The City also contributed $650,000, bringing the total project cost over $1.1 million.
The EV lot is also equipped with a large-scale solar canopy, which will generate emissions-free energy, and build on the City’s strategy to eliminate emissions across all civic operations by 2040. To achieve that target, the City is rapidly expanding its charging network with 28 chargers already installed at the Still Creek Works Yard. Over the next three years the City will install an additional 200 EV chargers, mostly for City fleet vehicles.
For public use, the City has installed EV chargers at community centres, recreation facilities, libraries and parks across Burnaby, and continues to plan for additional charging stations, including DC fast charging stations, where infrastructure is needed.
“This is an exciting project for the City of Burnaby as we strive to activate our community to more rapid action on climate change,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “We are grateful for the federal government’s significant contribution to this project, as it will not only act as a catalyst for our fleet electrification but also as a source of inspiration for our community to act fast to achieve carbon neutrality.”
“We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more accessible where Canadians live, work and play,” said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources. “Investing in more EV chargers, like the ones announced today in British Columbia, will put more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals.”
“The transition to a clean and sustainable economy has been accelerating over the last six years. Only a few years ago, you couldn't drive an electric vehicle from Vancouver Island to Prince Edward Island, but now you can. Today's announcement of 100 new charging stations in Burnaby will make having an electric vehicle more accessible in our community. Our government will continue to make investments so that Canadians have access to sustainable transportation options.” said Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Burnaby North.
To support the City’s Climate Action Framework, demonstrate leadership and ensure a healthy, green, livable and prosperous community, the City is advancing a City Energy Strategy that will utilize civic facilities and fleet to showcase carbon neutral operations. The strategy commits the City to meeting the carbon neutral climate target across corporate operations by 2040, 10 years ahead of the community target.
Learn More: Burnaby.ca/ClimateAction
Media Contact:
Chris Bryan
Manager, Public Affairs
Public Affairs Office
604-570-3616 | [email protected]