The District of Central Saanich is offering two new programs to help local businesses and organizations ensure bike parking and electric vehicle charging are more commonly available in the community.
The Business EV Charger Grant offers up to 50 per cent of the overall cost of installing a public Level 2 charging station for local businesses and non-profit organizations. The grant is available to any business within Central Saanich and Tsartlip and Tsawout First Nations, along with non-profit organizations that provide a public service within the District. The grant, which offers a max of $5,000 rebate per station, will assist these businesses and organizations in serving clients who have chosen to go electric, while also adding to the overall network of charging stations on the Peninsula.
The District is also offering up a limited number of public bicycle racks to eligible businesses and organizations at zero cost. Municipal staff will even take care of the installation if the rack is on public property, such as a sidewalk or boulevard. With this offer, businesses and organizations will be able to ensure bike parking is available to customers and clients, encouraging healthy and environmentally friendly transportation and contributing to the overall cycling network in the community.
“Reaching our climate action goals won’t be possible without the support of everyone in our community, including the District itself,” said Mayor Ryan Windsor. “That’s why we’re delighted to offer this help to local businesses to be a part of the climate solution and also provide their customers with the alternative transportation options they increasingly seek.”
Central Saanich is committed to reducing community emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and becoming a carbon neutral community by 2050, as declared by Council in 2019. To achieve this, the District has set goals for local transportation, including active transportation accounting for at least 50 per cent of all trips within the community by 2050, and 100 per cent of all vehicles on the road to be zero emission by the same time.
These ambitious and accelerated climate targets align with United Nation recommendations and are supported by the District via proactive and forward-thinking initiatives and programs.
For more information on the District’s overall climate action approach, the Business EV Charger Grant, and the free bicycle racks, visit: CSaanich.ca/Climate.