Electric vehicle drivers can now get a fast charge at Kelowna International Airport, as well as 10 other strategic locations across the Okanagan and Kootenays.

FortisBC is adding 12 new Direct Current Fast Charge stations to its EV charging network, and pulled the wraps off two at YLW on Monday. 

The two stations at the airport will be the first fast-charging stations available at a public location in Kelowna.

Fortis also has the following locations slated for construction over the summer: Rutland Centennial Park along Highway 33 in Kelowna, Kelowna Museum, Beaverdell, Osoyoos, Cawston, Rossland, Nelson, Kaslo, New Denver and Nakusp.

The fast-charging stations are expected to charge a compact electric vehicle in about a half an hour, as compared to a Level-2 station that requires about three to four hours. The fee is $9 per half hour.

The fast chargers were 50 per cent funded by Natural Resources Canada and 25 per cent by B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. FortisBC funded the remaining amount and will own and maintain the stations.

These stations bring the total FortisBC owns and operates to 17 stations across 14 communities. 

“We’re laying these out across the Southern Interior, and they’re really designed for those long trips,” FortisBC vice-president of market development and external relations Doug Stout said. “You can pop in, charge your car quickly on a long trip and carry on again. It takes care of that range anxiety. You get probably 300 to 400 kilometres on a charge. Pop into one of these, and off you go again.”

For more on this story, visit Okanagan Edge.