Article Summary
BC Hydro is expanding its electric vehicle charging network from 917 to 3,500 public charging ports by 2035 with a $700 million provincial investment, creating one of Canada's largest EV charging networks to support rapid EV adoption across British Columbia.
- 3,500 new charging ports will be deployed by 2035, expanding from the current 917 ports at 190 locations
- $700 million investment from the BC provincial government supports the expansion across communities, highways, and urban centres
- Ultra-fast charging technology includes 200-kilowatt standard chargers and 400-kilowatt ultra-fast chargers at select locations
- Customer-focused features include plug-and-charge capability, tap-to-pay functionality, and strategically placed larger hubs to reduce wait times
- Supports EV adoption as British Columbians adopt electric vehicles at one of the fastest rates in North America
BC Hydro is deploying 3,500 new public charging ports by 2035, creating one of Canada’s largest public charging networks, according to a news release published by the Government of British Columbia on Tuesday.
“As conflicts overseas increase pain at the pumps here at home, more British Columbians are switching to electric vehicles,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, in the news release. “We need to make sure they can count on a charging network that is convenient and reliable. By dramatically expanding access to electric vehicle (EV) charging, we’ll help make it easier to choose a car that cuts pollution and saves families money every time they get behind the wheel.”
The expansion is supported by a $700-million investment from the provincial government, enabling BC Hydro to add new charging hubs in communities throughout the province, along major highway corridors and in high-demand urban centres.
Currently, BC Hydro’s charging network includes 917 charging ports at 190 locations in the province, noted the release. The expanded charging capacity will support long-distance travel and keep up with growing EV adoption.
The new charging sites are designed around reliability, consistency and customer convenience. Larger charging sites will be deployed in strategic locations to reduce wait times.
“British Columbians are adopting electric vehicles at one of the fastest rates in North America, and we’re building the charging network needed to support that growth,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO, BC Hydro, in the news release. “By expanding to 3,500 charging ports, introducing faster charging technology and creating more reliable, customer-focused charging hubs, we’re giving EV drivers confidence they can have dependable charging wherever their journey takes them in B.C.”
Features of the network expansion include, but are not limited to, network standard 200-kilowatt chargers with 400-kilowatt ultra-fast chargers at select locations, plug-and-charge capability and tap-to-pay functionality.
More information on the provincewide public charging port expansion can be found here.
