BC Hydro to add higher-powered charging units beginning fall 2023

BC Hydro announced Friday it’s adding higher-powered 180-kilowatt charging units to its fast-charging network.

The new chargers, which can add up to 180 kilometres of range to an electric vehicle in about 10 minutes, will begin by being introduced in Tumbler Ridge, Manning Park, Mackenzie and Surrey in late fall 2023.

“These new higher-powered chargers have the ability to charge electric vehicles in a fraction of the time,” says Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation.

“B.C. is a leader in electric vehicle adoption and has one of the largest public electric vehicle charging networks in Canada, and we are committed to providing more options for drivers looking to charge their vehicles, especially if they are short on time.”

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Power sharing will also be possible with these new chargers, meaning two customers can use the charger at the same time and it will adjust to provide two 90-kilowatt charging units.

There are now more than 120,000 electric vehicles on B.C.’s roads, and that number is expected to grow to between 700,000 and 900,000 in the next 10 years, according to BC Hydro.

Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro, says the company’s recent research has shown that many British Columbians are considering an electric vehicle for their next ride.

“We are listening to the feedback from our customers who tell us they are looking for more charging options and higher-powered chargers to join our fast charging network, and we are excited to begin the installation of these 180-kilowatt units later this fall,” O’Riley said.

Currently, BC Hydro’s fast-charging network includes 153 charging units at 84 sites in communities across the province. It states it’s hoping to add 3,000 ports to its network over the next 10 years, and many of its new locations planned in 2024 will receive these higher-powered charging units.