VANCOUVER: BC Hydro has hit a major milestone, tripling its electric vehicle (EV) public fast-charging network over the past year to 591 charging ports across B.C., installing an average of more than one port per day.
"B.C. is home to one of the fastest-growing EV communities in North America," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. "With more than 98 per cent of BC Hydro's electricity generated from renewable sources, EV drivers in B.C. are driving the charge toward lower greenhouse gas emissions and a cleaner future. Together with BC Hydro and other partners, we have built one of Canada's largest public EV charging networks to help reduce range anxiety and encourage more British Columbians to make the switch to electric vehicles."
Since the early 2000s, BC Hydro has been a trailblazer in promoting EV adoption in the province. Leveraging renewable and affordable electricity, the company has enabled EV drivers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70 per cent and reduce fuel costs by up to 80 per cent compared to gas-powered vehicles. With about 195,000 EVs now on B.C.'s roads, that number is projected to soar to between 700,000 and 900,000 within the next decade.
BC Hydro's new report, Driving Forward: BC Hydro's EV Charging Progress Report [PDF, 5.7 MB], highlights its decade-long efforts to build a robust EV charging network across the province. Recent milestones include:
- Network expansion: In the past year alone, BC Hydro has tripled the size of its public charging network, adding 418 new charging ports.
- State-of-the-art hubs: Twenty-two new hubs have opened in every region of the province, each featuring 8 to 22 charging ports, to help minimize wait times for drivers.
- Next-gen fast chargers: BC Hydro deployed new 350-kilowatt chargers at some locations, capable of delivering up to 100 kilometers of range in just five minutes.
- Boosted power output: The network's power output surged from 10 megawatts in April 2024 to 41 megawatts by March 2025. About 85 per cent of charging ports are fast chargers and the network supports CCS, NACS and CHAdeMO connectors.
- Recognized for excellence: BC Hydro is among six public EV charging network providers in North America top-rated by ChargeHub for its excellence.
- Completion of the Electric Highway: With fast chargers placed about every 150 kilometers along major routes, the Government of B.C. completed the Electric Highway in September 2024. BC Hydro operates 111 of the highway's 155 charging locations, making up more than 70 per cent of the network.
"At BC Hydro, we're proud to be a key partner with our customers as leaders in North American EV adoption," said Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "We are paving the way to a cleaner, more sustainable and convenient transportation future for British Columbians through investments in infrastructure, technology and partnerships."
Looking ahead, BC Hydro will continue to foster B.C.'s leadership in enabling the EV experience:
- By spring 2026, BC Hydro aims to expand its charging network to 800 ports.
- This year, BC Hydro will debut its first 400-kilowatt chargers, offering 100 kilometers of range in just three minutes.
BC Hydro extends its gratitude to customers and partners – including Natural Resources Canada, the Government of B.C., First Nations, municipalities and the business community across the province – for their support in building a more EV-ready future. Recently completed charging sites include:
- Vancouver – Kerrisdale: 5575 West Boulevard (site expansion, 17 ports)
- Maple Ridge – Haney Place Mall: 11900 Haney Place (16 ports)
- Surrey – Panorama Place: 5577 153A Street (12 ports)
- Port Moody – Inlet Park: 3024 Murray Street (9 ports)
- Colwood Park & Ride: Island Highway near Ocean Boulevard (site expansion, 22 ports)
- Sidney – Mary Winspear Centre: 2243 Beacon Avenue (13 ports)
- Sechelt – Trail Bay Mall: 5755 Cowrie Street (expansion, 6 ports)
- Gibsons & Area Community Centre: 700 Park Road (13 ports)
- Agassiz – Chehalis Band Store: 1001 Chehalis Road (4 ports)
- Chilliwack – District 1881: 46037 Princess Avenue (8 ports)
To learn more about the benefits of EV ownership in B.C., visit bchydro.com/ev.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
Email: media@bchydro.com
Phone: 604 928 6468