Thompson Nicola Regional District directors have signed off on a new agreement with BC Hydro to establish more electric vehicle charging stations along the North Thompson corridor.

Hydro and the Thompson Regional Library Board have put together a 10 year lease agreement to establish EV charging stations at the libraries in Barriere and Clearwater.

“We know the North Thompson is an area of BC that is in need of public EV charging stations,” said Melissa Lowenberg, the TNRL’s Manager of Community Libraries and Outreach.  “Libraries are really innovative places. We welcome our tourists coming through, and we certainly want to support our local residents.”

Lowenberg says libraries are generally centralized hubs for many communities, including in Barriere and Clearwater.

“Clearwater, for example, has the arena right next door to the library. Certainly out of town folks could use the charging stations if they’re coming for a hockey tournament,” suggested Lowenberg.  “In Barriere, we have the StoryWalk, which is right next door at Fadear Park.”

The agreement itself sees no financial impact on the TNRD, with BC Hydro paying the overhead costs, while also taking on the liability.

“They would install the charging stations. Any damage, they take care of it,” said Lowenberg.  “They look at improving lighting. They do the signage. The consumer pays for the electricity, so we don’t have to monitor.”

Lowenberg says expectations are the EV charging stations, which will include two chargers at each library, should be installed and active sometime in the first quarter of 2025.

There are currently only 10 electric vehicle charging stations located on the 322 kilometer stretch of Highway 5 North between Kamloops and Valemount.