PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Nov. 1, 2021… Starting Nov. 1, electric vehicle (EV) owners can plug into new City-owned charging stations while enjoying the recently opened Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC).

Following the recent installation of two dual-port charging stations in the PCCC’s underground parkade, Council approved updates to the Fees & Charges Bylaw at the Oct. 26 council meeting to introduce a charging fee of $1 per hour for the first two hours and $5 for each additional hour. The nominal fee is intended to promote turnover and recover costs.

“It’s fitting that Port Coquitlam’s first City-owned EV charging stations are located in our newest and most modern facility,” Mayor Brad West said. “This just adds to the convenience and offerings at our new community centre, while helping to support the ever-growing demand for electric vehicles with low-cost public charging options. It’s good for our residents and good for the environment.”

Serving two stalls each, the two new Level 2 EV stations are located near the southwest corner of the PCCC underground lot, and are intended for active charging only.

Fees are becoming increasingly common at public charging stations, both to prevent long-term parking and to help recoup electricity costs.

The PCCC’s underground lot has a three-hour limit and provides free parking to facility users only. The parkade is currently open from Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Entry to the parkade is off of Mary Hill Road. Once vehicles are charged, EV users are encouraged to move their vehicles for the remainder of their three-hour visit to free up the spot for others.

The City’s bylaw enforcement staff and site security will monitor the EV stations along with the remainder of the lot.

“By installing these new public EV charging stations, we’re helping to support residents who are making cleaner, low-carbon transportation choices in Port Coquitlam,” said Cllr. Laura Dupont, Council’s designate for climate and environmental issues. “Though we are just starting the process of climate action in the City of Port Coquitlam, this is a small step in the right direction.”

EV owners using the PCCC charging stations will pay through the ChargePoint mobile app, available for free through Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The ChargePoint app can also be used to search for other charging stations on the go.

The new stations are the City’s latest effort to promote electric vehicles. In 2018, Port Coquitlam was among the first communities in Metro Vancouver to require basic EV charging infrastructure to be installed in parking areas of all new buildings with residential dwellings – including single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, apartments, coach houses and residential components of mixed-use buildings.

Port Coquitlam also has a growing City fleet of EV and hybrid vehicles. Additional public EV charging locations will be considered in new City infrastructure, such as the upgrades planned for the Civic Centre in downtown Port Coquitlam.

For more information about Port Coquitlam’s EV initiatives, visit portcoquitlam.ca/ev. In addition to ChargePoint, EV drivers can search for charging locations using PlugShare (plugshare.com or free app), Charge Hub (chargehub.com or free app) and other apps.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca