EVs are on the Move at the City of Nelson
September 22, 2025--The City of Nelson is celebrating National Drive Electric Week with the addition of a fifth electric vehicle (EV) to its fleet, proving that even small rural communities can make a big impact. The newest addition, a 2025 Ford Lightning, joins the Nelson Hydro vehicle inventory this month.
The move toward fleet electrification is another step in advancing a carbon-neutral future—one of the pillars of the City of Nelson’s 2023–2026 Strategic Plan and its climate action strategy, Nelson Next. In June 2024, Council adopted the Fleet Electrification Plan to support this goal.
The plan promotes an “electric-first” approach, meaning that when vehicles are due for renewal, the Fleet team considers EVs first and integrates them whenever possible. To accommodate the growing number of City-owned EVs, new charging infrastructure has been installed at the Public Works facility with support from a Plug In BC grant. Five charging heads are now in place to serve the current fleet, with additional capacity available for future expansion. In 2026, BC Transit will install EV chargers in the City Works yard, to support two new EV buses that will replace two diesel buses in Nelson Conventional Transit fleet.
“We’re building the foundation for the future,” says City of Nelson Fleet & Transit Manager Jody Koehle. “The new chargers allow us to expand the City’s EV fleet in a smart, affordable way.”
The City will continue acquiring EVs where appropriate to reduce fuel costs, improve air quality, and set an example for other rural communities across BC.
“As a clean energy provider, it makes sense for Nelson Hydro to add an electric vehicle to our service fleet,” says Nelson Hydro General Manager Scott Spencer. “This transition shows how small communities can embrace new technology while keeping essential services running reliably.”
For more information about Nelson Next and Council’s strategic priorities, visit nelson.ca
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