EV charge site at Mount Robson Visitor Centre
VANCOUVER: BC Hydro's public charging network has reached a significant milestone and now offers more than 700 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports provincewide. This latest expansion comes as BC Hydro is incorporating 88 charging ports at 28 EV charging sites that were previously operated by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
"Surpassing more than 700 charging ports is a clear reflection of BC Hydro's commitment and leadership in building a reliable and accessible EV public charging network across British Columbia," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. "This expansion reinforces our commitment to build the infrastructure needed to support the growing demand for electric vehicles and to drive sustainable economic growth throughout our province."
The 88 charging ports at 28 EV sites include a mix of fast chargers and Level 2 chargers located at highway rest stops and key travel corridors. Specifically, BC Hydro will take ownership of:
- 33 fast chargers (50-kilowatt)
- 16 fast chargers (25-kilowatt)
- 39 Level 2 chargers
These sites will transition to BC Hydro's energy-based rates, which have been approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission and are in line with other public charging services in B.C. BC Hydro expects all 28 sites to be fully integrated into its network by the end of 2025.
"By transferring these 28 electric vehicle charging sites to BC Hydro, we're streamlining our focus on maintaining a safe and efficient transportation system for all British Columbians," said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. "BC Hydro's expertise and infrastructure make it the ideal steward to ensure reliable charging across the province."
EV charge site at Savory Rest Area
The adoption of EVs across British Columbia has increased significantly with more than 215,000 EVs on the road in B.C.
"As electric vehicle adoption increases across B.C., we're investing in the infrastructure needed to support that growth," said Charlotte Mitha, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "This expansion strengthens our public charging network and ensures EV drivers benefit from BC Hydro's reliable service, including 24/7 customer support and access to clean, affordable electricity."
BC Hydro is working 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: About two-dozen 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.
- 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 114 of the highway's 155 charging locations, making up more than 70 per cent of the network. Once the transition of the Ministry of Transportation and Transit charging sites to BC Hydro is complete, BC Hydro will operate more than 90 per cent of the network.
BC Hydro's provincewide fast charging network currently includes 709 charging ports at 160 sites in communities throughout B.C. BC Hydro is looking to reach 800 charging ports in its network by spring 2026. Later this year, BC Hydro will debut its first 400-kilowatt charger, offering 100 kilometres of range in just three minutes. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.
Background: Sites transferring to BC Hydro
- Mile 80 Rest Area (Highway 97 north of Fort St. John)
- Boulder Creek Rest Area (Highway 37, Kitwanga, 50 km west of Hazelton)
- Thornhill Roundabout (Highway 37 at Motz Road)
- Savory Rest Area (Highway 16 west of Endako)
- Cluculz Rest Area (Highway 16 east of Vanderhoof)
- Slim Creek Rest Area (Highway 16, 120 km east of Prince George)
- Mount Terry Fox Rest Area (Highway 16, 20 km west of Mount Robson)
- Mount Robson Visitor Centre (Highway 16)
- Australian Rest Area (Highway 97, 36 km south of Quesnel)
- 100 Mile House Information Centre (Highway 97, South Cariboo Visitor Centre)
- Hanceville Lookout Rest Area (Highway 20, 85 km west of Williams Lake)
- Wire Cache Rest Area (Highway 5, between Clearwater and Avola)
- Shelter Bay Ferry Terminal (Highway 23 south of Revelstoke)
- Spillimacheen Rest Area (Highway 95, between Radium Hot Springs and Golden)
- Wasa Rest Area (Highway 93, between Canal Flats and Cranbrook)
- Una Rest Area (Highway 97, 30 km northeast of Vernon)
- Redhill Rest Area (Highway 1 south of Ashcroft)
- Port Renfrew Community Centre (Highway 14)
- Buckley Bay Rest Area (Highway 19, between Qualicum Beach and Courtenay)
- Sooke Road Park and Ride (Highway 14 at Gillespie Road)
- Woss (Highway 19)
- East Pine Rest Area (Highway 97, 70 km west of Dawson Creek)
- Little Fort Rest Area (Highway 5, between Barriere and Clearwater)
- Fishtrap Rest Area (Highway 5, between Kamloops and Barriere)
- Illecillewaet Brake Check (Highway 1, between Revelstoke and Glacier)
- Loon Lake Rest Area (Highway 97C, between Merritt and Kelowna)
- Taylor River Rest Area (Highway 4, between Port Alberni and Tofino)
- Hope Slide Viewpoint (Highway 3 east of Hope)
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
Email: media@bchydro.com
Phone: 604 928 6468