We've all been there.
You're out at a concert, sporting event, dinner or maybe heading home on transit. Then, you look at your cell phone, only to realize it's about to die.
To keep people in constant communication, a B.C. company has deployed more than 120 cell-phone power bank vending kiosks across the province, with 12 located in Burnaby and New Westminster.
"Imagine you drove to a location, but have been drinking. Your phone battery is dead," Gury Singh of ElectricGo said in a recent interview with Glacier Media.
"You can't use the app to get a ride, you can't call anyone. Instead of them risking drunk driving, they can use this service."
How does it work?
Those that want to borrow a portable charger can download the ElectricGo app and find the nearest kiosk to them. A QR code on the kiosk can also be scanned.
A power bank pops out and is ready for use immediately, containing necessary cables for all types of cell phones.
Once you're done using the power bank, you can return it to any kiosk, similar to the car-sharing company Evo, where you can return a rented car to any parking station associated with the program.
How much does it cost?
Each time someone borrows a power bank, a pre-authorization charge is held to cover the cost if the power bank is damaged, lost or not returned in eight days — the maximum time a charger can be rented.
Rates are listed at 75 cents every 30 minutes per half hour with charges maxing out at $6 per day.
The company says it's offering the first 24 hours of each rental for free until June 14. To redeem the offer, users will need to scan the QR code directly on the kiosk.
Where can I find a kiosk in Burnaby and New West?
Currently, there are 12 locations in Burnaby and New West:
Burnaby
- The Great Bear Pub
- WINGS
- Oliver Twist Bar and Grill
- Simon Fraser University (SFU)
- BierCraft UniverCity SFU
- SFU Hair Salon
- Chef Hung SFU
New Westminster
- The Terminal Pub
- Paddlewheeler Pub
- Hops, A Northwest Pub
- New Westminster SkyTrain station
- Judge Begbie's Tavern
For more information, you're encouraged to visit ElectricGo's website.
- with files from Alan Campbell, Richmond News
