Banff Town Council has approved the addition of seven electric vehicle chargers at the Bear Street Parkade, a move that will convert six existing visitor-paid parking stalls into dedicated charging stations. This project aims to address a local infrastructure gap, as the town currently operates only one public charger despite growing demand from residents.
The total cost for the installation is $22,400. Funding is supported by an $8,550 grant from the Alberta Municipalities Electric Vehicle Charging Program, with the remaining $13,850 covered by the town’s Visitor Pay Parking Operating Reserve. While the new chargers are expected to generate nearly $6,000 in annual net revenue once fully operational, the removal of the six parking stalls will reduce overall parking revenue by $105,000 annually starting in 2027.
Under the new system, charging will cost $0.30 per kilowatt-hour, replacing the previous free model. To ensure the stalls remain available for those who need them, vehicles parked in these spots without actively charging will be subject to standard parking rates, which are $12 per hour during the summer and $7 per hour during the off-peak season.
Local community groups, including the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and the Bow Valley Climate Action Society, expressed support for the project. Both organizations noted that the current lack of accessible, fast-charging options serves as a barrier for local residents considering the switch to electric vehicles. A 2024 report from Natural Resources Canada estimates that Banff will require between 300 and 350 public chargers by 2035 to meet projected needs.
As the town looks toward future infrastructure, council has directed municipal administration to develop a comprehensive parking policy by early 2027. This policy will provide a framework to guide how the town manages and makes decisions regarding its public parking infrastructure moving forward.
