BC Hydro EV operations team members (left to right) Lynn Hurst, Lauren Kirkpatrick, Douglas Chu and Ajay Parmar pose at one of our fast charging sites, only steps from the entry to BC Hydro's main office on Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver.
BC Hydro EV named a top-rated network by ChargeHub
Electric vehicle (EV) drivers depend on a reliable and easy experience when charging on the go. In recognition of our commitment to this, BC Hydro's EV network was rated one of the top six North American networks in ChargeHub's 2024 release. We were also awarded a Mention of Excellence for consistently providing pictures and detailed info to help customers find our charging sites, and for proactively informing them of power outages that could affect sites.
"Whatever strategy [networks] employ to ensure an enjoyable experience, communication and transparency remain crucial to achieving this goal," said ChargeHub CEO Simon Ouellette.
Kees Jansen, BC Hydro's director of EV service delivery, said he was delighted by the ChargeHub recognition, noting that we had only 18 months ago set the goal of becoming a North American leader in driving transportation electrification by providing accessible, reliable, convenient and affordable charging for all EV drivers in B.C.
Our EV network tripled in 2024
The ChargeHub recognition comes after a year in which we tripled the number of chargers on our network by installing an average of more than one charging port per day. With the addition of 22 new charging hubs featuring between eight to 22 ports per hub, our network now has almost 600 ports across B.C., located in cities and towns as well as along major highways. The expansion also includes fast chargers with next-generation speeds of up to 350 kilowatts, which can deliver up to 100 kilometres of range in just five minutes.
"It's been amazing to see where we started and where we are today," says Ajay Parmar, a member of our EV operations team. "Creating that geographic connectivity across B.C. includes introducing new chargers, higher power and new software behind the scenes. It's pretty awe-inspiring to see the locations and wide reach of our network across all of B.C., and our team makes sure that network is reliable and keeps drivers moving."
With fast chargers placed about every 150 kilometers along major routes, the Government of B.C. declared the Electric Highway complete in September 2024. BC Hydro operates 111 of the highway's 155 charging locations, making up more than 70 percent of the network.
How we're providing great charging experiences
We asked our EV operations team about how we're maintaining reliability and convenience while rapidly rolling out new chargers. Lynn Hurst, BC Hydro's EV operations manager, says he relishes his occasional forays out into the field to talk to customers firsthand about their charging experience.
"We consistently provide 24/7 support to customers," says Hurst, who has been with the team for more than eight years. "This isn't just calls. It includes posting on ChargeHub and PlugShare to keep drivers informed of site improvements and to give travel advice. We also proactively test sites to make sure they are up and running for customers when they use it. It's all about making sure the network is as healthy as possible. We take pride in our sites, keeping them clean to make sure they look the best they can."
Hurst works closely with Lauren Kirkpatrick, who helps train and equip our EV Network call centre so that they can more effectively respond to driver questions. Part of Kirkpatrick's job is to quickly diagnose any technical issues as they arise, and to act quickly if parts are needed from suppliers.
One way to ensure repairs get done quickly is to pre-order them and store them in various parts of the province. Douglas Chu, who has worked for BC Hydro for 20 years, is involved in ensuring field service personnel can get those parts when they need them. If you've dropped into the BC Hydro EV booth at a B.C. auto show or the Everything Electric EV show, there's a good chance you've talked to Chu.
"We help customers a lot and I'm really passionate about our work," says Chu. "I often speak to a customer and assist them face-to-face at a charging site. And I've volunteered at our EV booths at the shows, where I've had some really interesting conversations. I remember one customer saying how much he'd benefitted from our sites close to the Yukon border."