I also thought I would also respond about the DC chargers in our area.
I can shed some light on locations selected for the first wave of DC charger installations, along with the speeds chosen.
First to clarify, the new DC chargers from Tesla are not the first to be installed. There were many 25kWh and 50kWh stations installed back in 2017 and 2018. The area was “electrified” by an initiative called Accelerate Kootenays, using grant money provided by a variety of organizations.
acceleratekootenays.ca
User Quote_me and I are friends, and likely the first two electric car owners in the Cranbrook area (we also have a 2014 Nissan Leaf, our first EV). We were consulted by Accelerate Kootenays during the planning stages in 2017.
We both urged them to install a minimum of 50 kWh stations (and preferably 100kWh) to help future proof them. However instead they opted to install slower stations (mostly 25kWh and some 50kWh) to stretch their budget, as to allow for a larger number of total stations to be installed. Their rational was this, they were trying to open up the Kootenay's to allow low range EV's (like our Nissan Leaf) to be able to freely commute between major centres. With the assumption that Lv2 charging would be used at the destination.
This is why the stations were installed in smaller communities like Jaffray, Canal Flats, and in rest stops like Kidd Creek. They wanted to make it possible for low range EV's (like our Leaf) to be able to make the jump. Over time many of these stations have been upgraded to 50kwh, and other DC stations have been installed in the major communities as well.
But this is the reason for the seemingly odd locations for the first wave of fast chargers, along with their slower speeds. They were working with a limited amount of grant money, trying to open up at the area to allow EV’s to commute.
I hope this helps to explain.
I can shed some light on locations selected for the first wave of DC charger installations, along with the speeds chosen.
First to clarify, the new DC chargers from Tesla are not the first to be installed. There were many 25kWh and 50kWh stations installed back in 2017 and 2018. The area was “electrified” by an initiative called Accelerate Kootenays, using grant money provided by a variety of organizations.
Electric car charging station map Kootenays, BC, - accelerate Kootenays
There will be over 40 charging stations installed across the Kootenay region of British Columbia by the end of 2018. View a map of all the planned stations.
acceleratekootenays.ca
User Quote_me and I are friends, and likely the first two electric car owners in the Cranbrook area (we also have a 2014 Nissan Leaf, our first EV). We were consulted by Accelerate Kootenays during the planning stages in 2017.
We both urged them to install a minimum of 50 kWh stations (and preferably 100kWh) to help future proof them. However instead they opted to install slower stations (mostly 25kWh and some 50kWh) to stretch their budget, as to allow for a larger number of total stations to be installed. Their rational was this, they were trying to open up the Kootenay's to allow low range EV's (like our Nissan Leaf) to be able to freely commute between major centres. With the assumption that Lv2 charging would be used at the destination.
This is why the stations were installed in smaller communities like Jaffray, Canal Flats, and in rest stops like Kidd Creek. They wanted to make it possible for low range EV's (like our Leaf) to be able to make the jump. Over time many of these stations have been upgraded to 50kwh, and other DC stations have been installed in the major communities as well.
But this is the reason for the seemingly odd locations for the first wave of fast chargers, along with their slower speeds. They were working with a limited amount of grant money, trying to open up at the area to allow EV’s to commute.
I hope this helps to explain.
