Coquitlam adds charging charge as EV program powers forward

Getting your current in Coquitlam will cost a little currency.
The city is now charging $1 for two hours of EV charging and $2 for longer power-ups.
The revenue-neutral fee is meant to cover the costs of electricity and maintenance, according to a release from the city.
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The city has a four-hour charging limit at the City Centre library. Motorists can charge overnight in the visitor section of the City Hall parkade.
Coquitlam charging spots
- Mackin Park: two ports
- Blue Mountain Park: four ports
- Tennis courts off Foster Avenue: two ports
- Poirier library: three ports
- City Centre Aquatic Centre: two ports
- Evergreen Cultural Centre: four ports
- Emerson Street: two ports
- Burke Mountain Discovery Centre: two ports
For a map of city charging stations, click here.
Mayor Richard Stewart previously described adding EV charging stations as something that was both necessary and challenging for municipalities.
“The role of municipal government continues to expand, typically by senior governments dumping more stuff on us or by the realities that climate change is upon us,” he said in 2021.
In 2023, BC Hydro announced two new 50-kilowatt chargers at the Superstore parking lot charging station.
The extra electricity was intended to help “reduce range anxiety,” and encourage more drivers to switch to EVs, according to a statement from Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Josie Osborne.
Related: Port Coquitlam Tesla project charges ahead but without charging station
