On Friday, January 20th, 2023, eight TESLA supercharger stalls were officially opened at the Tk̓emlúps Petro Canada Station at 560 Pow Wow Trail. The ribbon was cut by Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir, Tkwenem7íple7 (Councillor) Joshua Gottfriedson, Tk̓emlúps Business and Economic Development Manager, Devin Gambler, Petro Canada Manager, Calvin Bagshaw, and TESLA Project Developer, Kyle Lockhart, followed by cheers of celebration. The first charge at the superchargers was performed before Christmas by Sun Rivers resident and TESLA owner, Dave Retzer.
Kyle Lockhart entertained the crowd by asking skill-testing TESLA questions for prizes of miniature model 3 TESLA cars. The Kamloops TESLA Club was well represented and officially welcomed by Tk̓emlúps to utilize the superchargers and engage with the community.
Tk̓emlúps Petro Canada Manager, Calvin Bagshaw, is encouraged by this new addition to operations. The time needed to charge vehicles allows for a visit into the Petro Canada convenience store or to the neighbouring rest area that has information about the local Indigenous culture, language, and history.
The City of Kamloops and staff showed support for this milestone of the Tk̓emlúps Clean Energy and Emissions Plan by attending including Glen Cheetham, City of Kamloops Climate and Sustainability Manager, Indigenous and External Relations Manager, Tammy Robertson and External Relations Liaison, Sarah Candido.
More TESLA superchargers are planned for across the highway where Tk̓emlúps is currently constructing a grocery store, Sweláps Market.
