North Cowichan may soon consider allowing neighbourhood zero-emission vehicles to be used in some communities in the municipality.
NZEV refers to a four-wheeled electric-powered vehicle that travels at no more than 40 km/h, and they are not allowed on roads with speed limits in excess of 50 km/h in B.C..
More than 20 years ago, the province passed legislation enabling municipalities the right to allow residents to register, insure, plate and operate low-speed vehicles within their respective communities, but just 31 municipalities out of 162 in B.C. have followed through in adopting bylaws to allow them since then, and none were added in 2023.
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EV Island, a company that recently opened up its headquarters in Chemainus, specializes in consulting, marketing and developing neighbourhood zero-emission vehicle communities, and its mandate is to collaborate with governments, non-profits, private enterprise and individuals in promoting the adoption of NZEVs for everyday living.
EV Island’s Dave Haberman said that last year, the company made application, on behalf of the Municipality of North Cowichan, with the support of Councillors Bruce Findlay and Tek Manhas, for a Community & Energy Association Transportation Award, which is meant to encourage more B.C. municipalities to adopt the province’s NZEV bylaw.
“Together, the Municipality of North Cowichan and EV Island have a very good chance of winning a 2024 [transportation award], provided the district passes this bylaw in short order,” Haberman said in a letter to council.
Manhas said at the council meeting on March 6 that he thinks allowing NZEV vehicles in North Cowichan would be a great initiative.
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He said he has seen some of the vehicles and feels they work well in certain communities.
“I think this would be great in Chemainus where people can share a vehicle and go grocery shopping, work or whatever,” Manhas said.
“They wouldn’t work if people are commuting from Chemainus to Duncan, for example, but I think it’s a good idea for smaller communities. I will probably bring forward a notice of motion on this in the very near future.”
Findlay referred to NZEVs as “really cool little units,” but noted that they wouldn’t be useful in many parts of the municipality where speed limits are more than 50 km/h.
“But in Chemainus specifically, I think it would be a brilliant little program,” he said.
Coun. Mike Caljouw said he’s very proud of Manhas and Findlay for supporting the NZEV program.
“It’s something I thought I’d never witness because they seem opposed to electric vehicles, especially my EV, “ he said jokingly.
“I’m not sure how useful [NZEVs] would be here because they are not allowed to go over 50 km/h, but if you’re willing to buy one and drive around Chemainus and downtown Duncan, it’s good.”
Coun. Debra Toporowski added that she never thought she’d ever see Manhas and Findlay support Clean BC, the province’s plan to lower climate-changing emissions by 40 per cent by 2030.
“I think [NZEVs] are good for someone that’s retired or even a student that might need to zip around in town,” she said.
