Northern BC could see more electric cars on the roads due to gas prices

Gas prices are currently sitting between 130 and 140 in Northern BC, which may have people looking into other affordable options of transportation.

Electric cars are one choice, but in the north, there are obstacle for those looking in that alternative.

A survey conducted by BC hydro showed British Columbians like the idea of electric vehicles, but more than six in 10 said there are not enough charging stations to make them feel comfortable.

Electric Vehicle Strategist Alec Tsang says they are planning to expand to the north, however, the right vehicles need to be on the road.

“You don’t want to be stopping every hour or if your vehicle only gets 100 plus kilometres. You want to drive maybe two to three hours, which means you need a vehicle that will have the range of 300 to 400 kilometres.”

Tsang added the new Chevy Bolt is able to reach longer distances and cost less than a Spark.

Charging stations are expected to be placed between Kamloops to Prince George, than from the Northern Capital west to Prince Rupert.

Markets have also predicted the price comparison of ownership cost of gas versus electric will be the same if oil prices continue on an upward trend.

“Market analyse, such as Bloomberg, already predict that the price parody of EV’s and gas vehicles will be reached by 2024, which isn’t that far away,” says Tsang.