Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / New EV-charging stations have been constructed at Chevron near the Evans Road roundabout, just north of Highway 1. There's no cost to charge an EV for Journie Rewards members, until the end of March 2023.

By Marcus Gordon

Chilliwack EV stations

Chevron near Evans roundabout adds EV charging stations

Dec 28, 2022 | 9:12 AM

CHILLIWACK — Motorists wouldn’t necessarily expect to find four EV charging plugs at a gas station of all places, particularly when one energy source involves green technology while the other relies on conventional gasoline.

But location and convenience, coupled with an opportunity to generate revenue, play a huge role in this rollout from the American petroleum company headquartered in California.

Chevron at 45086 Yale Road West, near the Evans roundabout and just north of Highway 1, recently added two EV charging stations that can service up to four electric vehicles.

There is no cost to charge electric vehicles for Journie Rewards members, and will continue to be free until the end of March. Journie Rewards is the customer loyalty program exclusive to Chevron.

While customers charge their EVs, there’s a vacuum located directly next to it where customers can clean out their car for $3.

CHILLIWACK CHIEFS

Chilliwack Chiefs head to Game 6 backed against the wall for BCHL Fred Page Cup Finals

2h ago

COMMUNITY DONATION

Chilliwack Hospice Society gets new fridges to support volunteers, grieving loved ones

4h ago

NEW HOMES

Construction begins on 65 new Indigenous homes in Mission

6h ago

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML

The charging stations are located in the back of the Chevron parking lot close to the car wash exit.

On its website, On The Run touts the ultra-fast charging stations as a breakthrough.

“Make the most of every stop with one of B.C.’s largest planned ultra-fast charging networks capable of charging most EV models in 20-30 minutes,” the Chevron website said.

The EV network in Chilliwack continues to expand. The City of Chilliwack unveiled a fully operational EV charging station earlier this year at the Tourism Chilliwack centre on Luckakuck Way.

The City of Chilliwack announced in November in its monthly transportation newsletter that more EV stations are coming to Sardis Sports Complex in Sardis as well as the Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre.

Abbotsford-based Fraser City Installations was previously awarded the contract for the installation of EV charging stations, the city explained in its newsletter.

As of November 2022, the EV charging station at Tourism Chilliwack, 44150 Luckakuck Way, was designated as fully installed and operational. Minor landscaping and road markings will be added at this site to accentuate its visual appeal.

Construction of the EV charging stations is underway at the Sardis Sports Complex and Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre.

Once those are complete, the City plans to install a pair of Level 3 fast-charger ports at the Victoria Avenue parking lot, as well as EV stations at City Hall (8550 Young Road), the Provincial Court parking lot in downtown Chilliwack, and the city’s operations building at 44390 Luckakuck Way, next to Cheam Mountain Golf Course. The City has not indicated a construction date for these four additional locations.

In February 2022, Chilliwack City Council approved the purchase of 12 new electric vehicle charging stations that will provide 22 charging ports in seven locations throughout Chilliwack. Ten of the new stations will be dual-port, Level 2 chargers, and two will be single-port, Level 3 chargers.

To accelerate the uptake of EV usage, the provincial government passed the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act (ZEV Act) on May 30, 2019. This legislation requires that the percentage of sales and leases of light duty electric vehicles (EVs) reach 10 per cent by 2025, 30 per cent by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2040.

To support this provincial target, as well as local priorities for climate action, air quality and green house gas reduction, the City of Chilliwack is moving forward with requirements and guidelines for EV charging stations in new developments, as well as expanding the City-owned public charging network.

In August 2020, the City of Chilliwack amended its zoning bylaw to require EV charging infrastructure in all new residential developments.