Charging Ahead
This month I will review our island’s free EV charging infrastructure.
Current Status ?
As of November, we have 10 Level 2 (220v - medium speed) free public charging stations with 16 wands. The location and operational status is always available at: http://www.ssiev.ca/free-charging-stations.html. Those with donation boxes are there to cover the cost of the service, repairs and eventual replacement. Suggested donations - $1/hour is minimal, $2 is generous and $5 is awesome.
The charger network is very useful for occasional use when you visit a merchant and need an e-booster shot, you purchase an EV and have yet to install a charger at your home, during challenging times when you can’t get to your home (deep snow) or the electricity is out (drive to where the grid is active) and for our valued visiting tourists.
Why Are They Free ?
Initially, BC Hydro would not support a location owner charging for the electricity. I believe this has since changed, but there has always been the challenge of the electricity being inexpensive, so a charging mechanism for Level 2 locations may not be practical. A rough estimate for the usage is 50-70 cents per hour, depending on the service charge, the physical charger output and the car’s charging rate. For this minor cost, the location can attract customers. If a third party company or individual donates a charger or provides sponsorship (reducing the location installation cost) they are supporting a greener, low-carbon economy and are rewarded with inexpensive advertising for many years from a vanity plate located near the charger. The customer gets a nice parking spot and some free charging. Win win win win.
How Did We Get Here ?
The first charger was installed at ArtSpring by the Earth Festival Society (now Transition Salt Spring) and opened by Elizabeth May in August, 2013. It quickly became the 14th most popular charger in the province. Real time usage stats are available at: http://egauge4807.egaug.es). Almost all the others have been funded by off-island donations, the owners and the efforts of volunteers of the EV group (ssiev.ca).
How to be a Respectful User?
First of all, only EV’s please - just like designated disable parking spaces. Infringement is unkind and could lead to an unhappy tow event.
Express your gratitude. Please only park in your EV charging stall if you are actively charging. Carefully remove the charging wand and attach it to your car. Ensure your car is charging before you depart and don’t lock the charger in place if your car has that option. Use an EV group etiquette card if you have one. When you return, look around to see if a nearby car has their charging port open (hinting they are thirsty) and if so, plug them in. If not, NEATLY wrap the chord and return the chord to the charger. Do not leave excess line on the ground. That is unsightly and a tripping hazard. The chargers are for personal (non-commercial) use only. Please do not rely exclusively on the public chargers. Installing a Level 2 charger at home is the best way to go.
The Future
The EV Group is actively investigating many other potential locations for free public chargers. If you have a location that you think may be eligible or if you wish to participate in the sponsorship, please contact me.
I am very pleased to announce that CRD Director Gary Holman has quickly responded to the climate change emergency declared in March, 2019. The CRD and our local Parks and Recreation Commission have installed a free charger at Portlock and will be installing another at the Rainbow Road pool. Portlock is a premiere location as it is busy from dawn to dusk with runners, sports teams, racquet sports and educational events. Many of the users are from off-island. The swimming pool location would support the pool users, the nearby allotment gardens and be an alternate parking location for island visitors.
The CRD is also actively investigating a Level 3 installation which would be fee-for-use, and respond to the needs of higher use vehicles (taxis, delivery, rental, etc.). I applaud the CRD’s efforts.
The Bottom Line
Our public network of chargers will continue to grow as the number of EV’s (currently 240) continues to expand. Each additional EV reduces our dependency on imported oil and keeps our air cleaner. The EV group and the CRD are working closely together to charge up the future.
I encourage your respectful comments. I can be reached at: jstanden@ucalgary.ca
This month I will review our island’s free EV charging infrastructure.
Current Status ?
As of November, we have 10 Level 2 (220v - medium speed) free public charging stations with 16 wands. The location and operational status is always available at: http://www.ssiev.ca/free-charging-stations.html. Those with donation boxes are there to cover the cost of the service, repairs and eventual replacement. Suggested donations - $1/hour is minimal, $2 is generous and $5 is awesome.
The charger network is very useful for occasional use when you visit a merchant and need an e-booster shot, you purchase an EV and have yet to install a charger at your home, during challenging times when you can’t get to your home (deep snow) or the electricity is out (drive to where the grid is active) and for our valued visiting tourists.
Why Are They Free ?
Initially, BC Hydro would not support a location owner charging for the electricity. I believe this has since changed, but there has always been the challenge of the electricity being inexpensive, so a charging mechanism for Level 2 locations may not be practical. A rough estimate for the usage is 50-70 cents per hour, depending on the service charge, the physical charger output and the car’s charging rate. For this minor cost, the location can attract customers. If a third party company or individual donates a charger or provides sponsorship (reducing the location installation cost) they are supporting a greener, low-carbon economy and are rewarded with inexpensive advertising for many years from a vanity plate located near the charger. The customer gets a nice parking spot and some free charging. Win win win win.
How Did We Get Here ?
The first charger was installed at ArtSpring by the Earth Festival Society (now Transition Salt Spring) and opened by Elizabeth May in August, 2013. It quickly became the 14th most popular charger in the province. Real time usage stats are available at: http://egauge4807.egaug.es). Almost all the others have been funded by off-island donations, the owners and the efforts of volunteers of the EV group (ssiev.ca).
How to be a Respectful User?
First of all, only EV’s please - just like designated disable parking spaces. Infringement is unkind and could lead to an unhappy tow event.
Express your gratitude. Please only park in your EV charging stall if you are actively charging. Carefully remove the charging wand and attach it to your car. Ensure your car is charging before you depart and don’t lock the charger in place if your car has that option. Use an EV group etiquette card if you have one. When you return, look around to see if a nearby car has their charging port open (hinting they are thirsty) and if so, plug them in. If not, NEATLY wrap the chord and return the chord to the charger. Do not leave excess line on the ground. That is unsightly and a tripping hazard. The chargers are for personal (non-commercial) use only. Please do not rely exclusively on the public chargers. Installing a Level 2 charger at home is the best way to go.
The Future
The EV Group is actively investigating many other potential locations for free public chargers. If you have a location that you think may be eligible or if you wish to participate in the sponsorship, please contact me.
I am very pleased to announce that CRD Director Gary Holman has quickly responded to the climate change emergency declared in March, 2019. The CRD and our local Parks and Recreation Commission have installed a free charger at Portlock and will be installing another at the Rainbow Road pool. Portlock is a premiere location as it is busy from dawn to dusk with runners, sports teams, racquet sports and educational events. Many of the users are from off-island. The swimming pool location would support the pool users, the nearby allotment gardens and be an alternate parking location for island visitors.
The CRD is also actively investigating a Level 3 installation which would be fee-for-use, and respond to the needs of higher use vehicles (taxis, delivery, rental, etc.). I applaud the CRD’s efforts.
The Bottom Line
Our public network of chargers will continue to grow as the number of EV’s (currently 240) continues to expand. Each additional EV reduces our dependency on imported oil and keeps our air cleaner. The EV group and the CRD are working closely together to charge up the future.
I encourage your respectful comments. I can be reached at: jstanden@ucalgary.ca