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BC Hydro EV Charging Network

BC Hydro ev charging network

BC Hydro operates a fast charging network for electric vehicles (EVs) across British Columbia. BC Hydro’s provincewide fast charging network currently includes 153 charging units at 84 sites in communities throughout B.C.

They plan to add 3,000 more charging ports to their network over the next 10 years. The chargers are funded through a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.

BC Hydro mainly operates DC fast chargers and is beginning to expand into Level 2 chargers at select locations. Most charging sites currently have a single DC fast charger, but some are being upgraded with a second one as EV adoption grows.

Where to find BC Hydro charging stations

You can explore the growing network of public EV charger locations on their EV network map as well as the ChargeHub charging map. Simply click and drag the map to see the scope of their network, and zoom in to view the status and availability of individual chargers. Most of their charging sites currently have a single DC fast charger, but they’re upgrading some spots with a second one as EV adoption grows.

How to use a BC Hydro charging station?

How to charge on a BC Hydro Level 3 station with your preferred app:

  1. To start charging, open your preferred app and find the location you want to charge at.
  2. Select the station ID that matches the one on the station and proceed with the steps in the app to activate the station.
  3. You should see visual feedback on the station that it has received your request to charge.
  4. Plug the correct connector in your car. BC Hydro level 3 stations typically have both a CCS and a CHAdeMO connector.
  5. It could take several seconds for the charge to begin. Your app may only receive session updates with some delay.
  6. To stop the charge, you must first press the Stop button on the charging station
  7. You should see feedback on the station indicating the charging session was stopped.
  8. Unplug the connector from your car.

We hope this video will answer any questions you may have regarding the use of charging stations on the BC Hydro network.

BC Hydro Charging Station Cost

As of May 1, 2024, the costs to charge at BC Hydro chargers are as follows:

  • Level 2 charging: $0.2865 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
  • Fast charging (25 kW+): $0.3479 per kWh.
  • Idle fee: $0.40 per minute (applies if your vehicle stops charging and you don’t disconnect within five minutes).

Remember that charging rates are based on the labeled maximum kW output of the charger, not the actual output received by your vehicle. BC Hydro provides detailed receipts for each session, including charging duration and costs. You can also check your transaction history through your BC Hydro EV account.

You can also find out the cost of charging at an BC Hydro station, as well as the locations of the charging stations, via the ChargeHub App.