A Grand Forks city councillor would like to see a charge station for electric cars in Grand Forks.
Electric cars may have the smallest carbon footprint when it comes to transportation but the downside is that they can only travel 100 to 160 kilometres before they run out of power. That’s why Coun. Neil Krog wants to see an electrical battery recharge station in the city.
“There is only one recharge station between Osoyoos and Fernie,” said Krog at the March 4 regular council meeting.
One station, which looks like an oversized city parking meter, costs $2,000 but the total costs, with installation is approximately $10,000, according to Charlotte Argue, transportation analyst for Fraser Basin Council with Plug In B.C.
Krog’s philosophy is that these recharge stations would serve as an incentive to attract more electric vehicle traffic through the area.
“If there was a charge station downtown, then people would eat, shop and stay while their vehicles recharge,” said Krog. “I see it as an economic opportunity.”
Recharging a full battery costs approximately $2 and a full charge takes anywhere from four to six hours, Argue told the Gazette.
“A lot of (electric vehicle) drivers are choosing their trips right now based on where these recharge stations are located,” she said.
“I would eventually like to see the city’s system become dependent on electric transportation in the future,” said the city councillor.
Mayor Brian Taylor will bring the idea forward to at a Boundary economic meeting.