EV charge hub at Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex parking lot in Campbell River.
CAMPBELL RIVER: BC Hydro is powering cleaner transportation in Campbell River, opening a new electric vehicle (EV) fast charge hub at the Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex with room for eight EVs to charge at the same time.
"This new EV fast-charge hub in Campbell River will provide an important new option for local drivers and for people travelling up and down Vancouver Island, making it easier to charge quickly and reliably along their journey," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. "As part of the Province and BC Hydro's plan to expand our public charging network to 3,500 charging ports by 2035, we are investing in larger, faster and more reliable charging hubs that make it easier for people throughout British Columbia to choose electric transportation."
The charge hub was developed in partnership with the Strathcona Regional District and is located in the parking lot of the Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex at 225 South Dogwood Street. The new site features two 180-kilowatt chargers, which can add up to 180-kilometres of driving to an average EV in about 10 minutes, helping drivers get back on the road quickly.
The EV charge site at Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex parking lot features two 180-kilowatt chargers.
"We're pleased to welcome this new EV charging hub to the Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex," said Mark Baker, Strathcona Regional District Board Chair. "This project is a great example of what can be achieved through strong partnerships with organizations like BC Hydro. By adding convenient charging infrastructure at a well-used community facility, we're supporting more sustainable transportation choices for residents and visitors while investing in infrastructure that will serve our communities well into the future."
The chargers are designed to maximize access and efficiency. Through power-sharing technology, each unit can serve two vehicles at once by splitting output. For example, a 180-kilowatt charger can supply two vehicles with 90-kilowatts each. This allows up to four EVs to use these two chargers at once. There are also four Level 2 chargers. The site features chargers equipped with CCS, NACS, CHAdeMO, and J1772 connectors in various configurations to accommodate a wide range of EVs.
Electric vehicle adoption continues to climb across British Columbia, with approximately 240,000 EVs now on the road. This new Campbell River site supports BC Hydro's recently announced plan to more than triple its public charging network to 3,500 charging ports by 2035 through a $700-million investment in new charging hubs, faster technology and enhanced customer features across B.C. BC Hydro continues to prioritize larger charging sites in urban centres and along key travel corridors to improve reliability, reduce wait times and support growing demand.
"We are committed to ensuring electric vehicle drivers across British Columbia have access to reliable, convenient charging as we continue to strengthen our provincial grid and expand our public charging network," said Charlotte Mitha, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "These new fast chargers in Campbell River will provide EV drivers with greater confidence to travel and charge locally, knowing dependable infrastructure is available in their community."
BC Hydro continues to make significant progress expanding its provincewide charging network, including:
- Rapid expansion: BC Hydro's public charging network has grown fivefold in the past two years, adding more than 700 new charging ports.
- Expansion to 3,500 ports: In July 2026, BC Hydro announced plans to more than triple its public charging network to 3,500 charging ports by 2035 through a $700-million investment in larger charging hubs and faster charging technology. More information can be found at bchydro.com/fastcharging.
- State-of-the-art hubs: Over 40 hubs are now open in every region of the province, each featuring 8 to 22 charging ports, to help minimize wait times for drivers. Many sites can accommodate medium-duty electric vehicles.
- Next-gen fast chargers: BC Hydro deployed new 400-kilowatt and 350-kilowatt chargers at some locations, capable of delivering up to 100 kilometres of range in just a few minutes.
- Completion of the Electric Highway: With fast chargers placed about every 150 kilometres along major routes, the Government of B.C. completed the Electric Highway in September 2024. BC Hydro owns and operates 85 per cent of the highway's 155 charging locations.
- Award-winning network: Recognized in 2026 with both a ChargeHub Award and a Chartwell Best Practices Gold Award for excellence in EV charging and customer experience.
- Access for all EVs: BC Hydro is the largest fast-charging EV network in British Columbia and offers all connection types – CCS, NACS and CHAdeMO.
BC Hydro's provincewide public charging network currently includes 929 charging ports at 192 sites in communities throughout B.C. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
Email: media@bchydro.com
Phone: 604 928 6468