Electric vehicle charging network now links Tofino and Alberta border

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you drive an electric car, you should now be able to make it from Tofino to the eastern edge of BC and find charging stations before you ever run out of juice.

BC Hydro has finished the second phase of its network, adding 28 new stations. Those stations include 13 in the Lower Mainland and two on the Coquihalla Highway. There are also new stations on Vancouver Island and in the East Kootenay.

There are now a total of 58 stations across the province.

The next phase is to add northern communities to the fast-charging network, including Kamloops, Prince George, and Prince Rupert.

“Currently, there are six new fast charging stations in the East Kootenay and we’re actually planning another two to be completed in partnership with Accelerate Kootenays,” says Mora Scott with BC Hydro. “As part of this collaboration, they’re also working with Fortis BC to build five stations in the West Kootenay.”

She adds the charging stations are direct current fast chargers. “They can charge the average EV battery to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes.”

At most locations, one car can be charged at a time, but some locations allow for two vehicles charging at once.

Scott says the number of electric vehicles on B.C. roads is on the rise. “There’s currently around 9,000 electric vehicles on the roads across B.C. and we’re actually expecting that number to rise to about 300,000 by 2030.”

She argues electric vehicles are good options because “they can reduce our impact on the environment — at BC Hydro, we generate about 98 per cent clean electricity. They can also lower your fuel cost by about 75 per cent.”

According to BC Hydro, there were over 22,000 charges at the existing stations between May 2017 and May 2019.

Locations of the new stations:

Lower Mainland:

Coquitlam Superstore (east)
Coquitlam Superstore (west)
Horseshoe Bay – 6000 block of Bruce Street
Mission Superstore
Peace Arch Superstore
Richmond Superstore
Surrey – Esso Tynehead (to be energized in mid-July)
UBC Wesbrook Place
Vancouver – 500 block of Homer Street in Vancouver (two stations)
Vancouver – 5000 block of West Boulevard
Vancouver Superstore – Grandview Highway (to be energized in mid-July)
Vancouver Superstore – South East Marine Drive

Vancouver Island:

Campbell River community centre
Courtenay Superstore
Nanaimo Superstore
Pacific Rim Visitor Centre
Port Alberni No Frills
Qualicum Quality Foods
Sidney City Hall

Interior:

Britton Creek rest area along the Coquihalla Highway (two stations)

East Kootenay:

Canal Flats Arena
City of Cranbrook municipal parking lot on Cranbrook Street N
District of Sparwood municipal office
Golden – end of 9th Avenue (to be energized in mid-July)
Jaffray Pump & Pantry
Radium Hot Springs community centre