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VANCOUVER – A new “electric highway” network of charging stations may soon make electric vehicle (EV) travel possible throughout B.C.

The electric highway initiative is a comprehensive network of public EV fast-charging stations along all highways and major roadways located approximately 150 kilometres apart.

The network “will open up EV travel from Alaska all through British Columbia and along the west coast down to California. All B.C. sites will be energized, in service and open to the public before the end of September,” a provincial government release said.

“From unprecedented wildfires, drought and flooding, British Columbians are on the frontlines of climate change. They are seeing the impacts on their communities and making the switch to clean energy – including electric vehicles – in record numbers,” said B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Josie Osborne in a statement. “That’s why we are building out the infrastructure we need to power B.C.’s future with clean, affordable electricity. The completion of B.C.’s Electric Highway is a historic milestone in connecting our province and making clean energy more accessible and reliable.”

The network includes 155 charging sites and more than 310 fast chargers with some sites offering additional Level 2 chargers and fulfills one of the commitments of CleanBC, the province’s climate action plan.

B.C. contributed more than $13 million directly to the initiative through the GoElectric Public Charger Program, the release said, and additional funding through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

BC Hydro will start rolling out 400 kW charging stations capable of providing up to 100 kilometres of charge in just two to three minutes early next year, the release said. While no locations have been confirmed, the plan is to place these chargers close to major highways where drivers have the greatest need for charging quickly.