Did you know? Provincial and federal sales targets regulations will require all new passenger vehicles sold in BC to be zero emissions by 2035. Each year automakers are introducing more EV models with ever-increasing driving ranges, which means there is likely already an EV that is right for you. View this brochure from EmotivBC to see a list of available EVs in BC.
- Battery EV (BEV) - Uses electricity to power a 100% electric motor and battery
- Plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) - Uses an electric motor and battery with support of a gas engine
- Fuel cell vehicle (FCV) - Powered by oxygen and compressed hydrogen
With the market for EVs growing, so is the number of local drivers who own an EV. We've profiled one such Kamloops EV-owner in the video below. Rena shares what she loves about owning and driving an EV!
While EV drivers report doing the majority of charging at home, the network of public charging stations is ever growing, making it is easier and convenient to recharge your vehicle when you are on the go.
Visit PlugShare.com to find the EV charging stations near you.
Types of EV Charging
Type Level 1 Charging (110V) Level 2 Charging (240V) Level 3 Charging (480V) Range 1 hour = 8 km range 1 hour = 30 km range 30-60 minutes = 80% charge Charging Locations Home (trickle) charge Home, work, on-the-go On-the-go, usually for long distance trips While an EV currently costs more to purchase upfront than a comparable gas-powered vehicle, it costs significantly less to operate and maintain and EV, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership.
Did you know? Only 12% to 30% of the energy in gasoline is used to move a vehicle, with most of the remaining energy lost in heat. Over 77% of the energy in electricity is converted into vehicle movement when including regenerative braking.
Fuel Savings
Battery EVs are far more efficient than vehicles with internal gas engines, which saves you fuel costs. The cost to charge an EV is about 75% less than fueling up a gas-powered car, and you can expect to pay about $2-$4 for every 100km of travel, depending upon where you re-charge your EV (e.g. at home vs. public EV charging station).
Maintenance Savings
As EVs have fewer moving parts, you can expect to pay about 47% less on maintenance costs than a gas-powered vehicle. And unlike an internal combustion engine, the following parts of an EV will never need servicing or replacement:
- Fan belts
- Spark plugs
- Oil changes
- Exhaust system
Environmental Benefits of EVs
In BC, 96% of electricity is clean energy so you can reduce your environmental impact further. Driving an EV with zero tail pipe emissions means you are helping to improve community health, reduce air pollution and fight climate change.
Other Benefits of EVs
- Many EVs have regenerative braking which harnesses the energy expended while slowing a vehicle to help recharge the batteries. It also greatly reduces the wear and tear on the regular mechanical brake system, which reduces maintenance costs
- EVs generate more torque than gas vehicles, with the power going straight to the wheels for instant acceleration
- EVs are quieter than gas powered cars, producing less noise pollution in urban areas
- EVs do not idle so you can pre-heat or pre-cool the interior air of the car exhaust-free
On September 20, 2022, City Council adopted zoning bylaw amendments regarding electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements for all new residential development at time of construction, effective January 1, 2023.
The intent of these requirements is to enable all new residential development to be equipped with electrical infrastructure that facilitates easy and cost-effective access to electric vehicle charging at home.
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 55-9, 2022 (Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements) outlines three distinct definitions to guide developers and builders at time of construction: EV Capable Parking, EV Ready Parking, and EV Installed Parking, as highlighted in the illustrations.
Starting January 1, 2023, new residential development in Kamloops must provide, at minimum, one EV-capable parking stall per dwelling unit. Click here to learn more about the technical specifications for EV charging requirements that are required for building permit applications.
Background
Supporting access to EV charging at home is a priority action in the City's EV and E-Bike Strategy and Community Climate Action Plan.
The primary objective is to future-proof new residential development for the transition to electric transportation, which is being driven by provincial and federal sales target regulations that require all new passenger vehicles to be zero emissions by 2035.
The availability of EV charging infrastructure at home (and on the go) is a key factor in the decision to purchase an EV. New homes can be equipped with EV charging infrastructure at a relatively modest cost when compared to retrofitting.
The use of technology, such as EV energy management systems, which allow multiple charging points to safely use a single circuit simultaneously, also make it more feasible to install EV charging, particularly in multi-family residential buildings.
- Learn more about the City's Electric Vehicle and Electric Bike Strategy and discover what the City is doing to support the adoption and use of electric bikes and electric vehicles in our community.
- Visit Plugshare.com to find charging stations near you
- Visit EmotiveBC.ca for a range of resources on EVs
