Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation (HTEC) has partnered with 7-Eleven Canada to open Vancouver Island’s first public hydrogen fueling station at an Esso in Saanich. The new facility received $500,000 from the Province of British Columbia’s CleanBC Go Electric program and $1 million from Natural Resource Canada’s Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative. With this opening, there are four public hydrogen stations are operating in the province (in Saanich, Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver). Another station is under development in Kelowna and is expected to open in summer 2022.
“Through CleanBC, we are working to expand our hydrogen fueling network to encourage more British Columbians to make the switch to a cleaner vehicle,” said Bruce Ralston, B.C.’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “The adoption of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and fueling infrastructure will complement the build out of our electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and play a critical role in helping us achieve our legislated zero-emission vehicle targets and in our transition to a clean-energy future.”
The Province is taking measures to ensure the increasing demand for zero-emission vehicles is supported by building the public charging and hydrogen fueling network and through rebates for home and workplace charging infrastructure. B.C. has one of the largest public charging networks and the first cluster of public hydrogen stations in Canada.
“HTEC is excited to be making zero-emission travel and transport possible across Canada and proud to have begun the drive right here at home in B.C.,” said Colin Armstrong, president and CEO, HTEC. “Governments at all levels are increasing their commitments to climate action and are recognizing the important role hydrogen plays in taking carbon out of the transportation equation. Through this support, we now have four stations open for business in B.C., with more stations scheduled to open in the coming months.”
“7-Eleven Canada is committed to supporting the Province’s CleanBC vision by building out a network of hydrogen fueling and electric charging stations in Canada as we aim to reduce our stores’ CO2 emissions by 100% by 2050 – over a 2013 baseline,” said Norman Hower, vice-president and general manager, 7-Eleven Canada. “In partnership with the B.C. government and HTEC, our new hydrogen station in Saanich will enhance our robust neighborhood assortment and provide our customers access to a safe and clean-fuel alternative.”
In September 2020, the Province announced a $10-million commitment to build an additional 10 hydrogen fueling stations and promote and accelerate the use of hydrogen technologies throughout B.C. The Province released its hydrogen strategy in 2021, which provides direction for hydrogen development over the next decade and beyond.
Source: Government of British Columbia
