TCC getting all charged up over new electric-car station

NEWS — Tournament Capital Centre users can recharge their cars while they’re recharging their fitness.

The facility now has a direct current fast-charging station near Hillside Stadium to provide access for electric car owners who can recharge their vehicles to 80 per cent of full charge within 30 minutes.

The station is one of 13 DC fast-charging stations being installed along B.C.’s portion of the West Coast Green Highway by March 31.

Funded by the B.C. government under the previously announced $14.3-million provincial Clean Energy Vehicle Program, the plug-in is managed by BC Hydro. Hydro will continue to own the DC fast-chargers, while participating communities provide access to municipal land to host and operate the stations.

Encouraging the use of electric vehicles will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said Mayor Peter Milobar.

Kamloops MLAs Terry Lake and Todd Stone said the station supports more travel options for electric vehical owners.

A charging station was installed at the Visitor Information Centre in March last year.

According to LiveSmart BC, in 2010, 60 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions in Kamloops originated from on-road transportation activities.