Nanaimo Airport’s new EV chargers help users, environment
1 March 2021
Nanaimo Airport has enhanced our customer service and environmental commitment. We’ve opened four electric vehicle fast-charging stations.
Two stations are in the main parking lot outside the terminal building. The other two are in the rental car area. Drivers can fully charge most Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) in one hour. They’ll get a driving range of around 400 km. The airport offers free one-hour charges through July 2, 2021.
“We take pride in being pro-active with our environmental stewardship and we are always looking to enhance our great customer service. These Level 3 fast-charging EV stations serve both strategic objectives,” says Dave Devana, President and CEO of Nanaimo Airport.
“The EV stations will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while enabling us to embrace sustainability. Nanaimo Airport Commission is excited to do its part, in cooperation with the federal and provincial governments, to move towards a low carbon economy and widespread adoption of ZEVs by 2040.”
Natural Resources Canada’s Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative invested $200,000. The provincial CleanBC Go Electric Program and Nanaimo Airport invested $100,000 each. “We appreciate the support of Natural Resources Canada and the B.C. government to increase the EV fast-charging infrastructure along the Island’s most travelled highway,” Devana says.
Airport customers had requested ZEV charging facilities, he says. Passengers driving to the airport on battery power needed to use an EV charging station for the return home.
Nanaimo Airport Commission’s response to the requests support the vision of building a clean energy future. The federal government’s goal is to have 100 per cent of passenger vehicle sales be ZEV by 2040. More green options on roads will help reach that goal.
Nanaimo Airport consulted with leading EV infrastructure company ChargePoint to plan the charging stations. Island-based Durwest Construction led the installation.
The ZEV charging stations are among several environmental initiatives at Nanaimo Airport. In 2021 the Commission approved working with Pollinator Partnership Canada to pilot pollinator sites on airport lands.