Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) is inviting residents across the region to get a hands-on feel for electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes and EV chargers at a number of community events this summer.
“Transportation currently accounts for more than half of our region’s greenhouse gas emissions,” says CRD Environmental Services Committee Chair Barb Desjardins. “And transitioning from fossil-fueled vehicles to electric and other low-emission modes of transportation is an essential part of fighting climate change.”
“With this in mind, the CRD has created an event program where families that are curious about EVs and e-bikes can have a lot of fun trying them out and getting their questions answered.”
In addition to outreach at a number of community events and markets throughout the region, several dedicated ‘Charge Your Ride’ test drive and ride events will take place to give residents an opportunity to experience both electric vehicles and e-bikes first-hand to help them decide if these technologies work for their lifestyles.
Three Charge Your Ride test-drive and ride events have been scheduled as follows:
- Saturday, July 23 at Belmont Secondary in Langford
- Saturday, July 30 at Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney
- Saturday, August 13 at Camosun’s Lansdowne campus in Saanich
Event participants will also have a chance to win a number of great prizes, including a FREE e-bike, at the end of the campaign. The CRD is also offering free e-bike skills courses throughout the summer in partnership with Capital Bike.
The CRD’s Charge Your Ride campaign, a partnership with the City of Victoria, District of Saanich, Town of Sidney and District of Central Saanich, received $224,000 in funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative earlier this year.
“We’re equipping Canadians with the awareness and knowledge they need to confidently make the switch to a zero-emission vehicle,” says the Honourable John Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources. “Ensuring easy access to EVs across Canada is a critical part of our plan to lower emissions and achieve our climate goals—putting more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future.”
For additional details and event information, please visit www.crd.bc.ca/charge.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Melanie Tromp Hoover, Communications Supervisor
CRD Environmental Services
Tel: 250.360.3287
Cell: 250.818.1489