BC Hydro unveils its highest-powered electric vehicle chargers in Metro Vancouver
BC Hydro has reached a new milestone on the road to building a massive battery-electric vehicle (EV) public charging network across the province.
The provincial Crown corporation today unveiled its most powerful EV chargers yet at a new charging hub in Burnaby.
BC Hydro stated that the EV chargers are not only the new benchmark for both speed and convenience, but they are part of the over 800 public charging ports available across the province.
BC Hydro
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“This new electric vehicle charge hub in Burnaby continues our work with BC Hydro and other partners to make cleaner options more accessible and affordable for all British Columbians,” said Adrian Dix, minister of energy and climate solutions, in a release.
“With more than 800 BC Hydro charging ports now available in communities throughout B.C., we are building a public charging network that’s ready to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and will support economic growth in our province.”
The new hub is located in parking lot N of BCIT’s Burnaby campus, and features two 400-kilowatt chargers that can add up to 100 km of driving to an average EV in about three minutes.
The chargers are not only the fastest on BC Hydro‘s network, but they can charge two vehicles on the same unit for up to 200 kW each.
Two additional 180 kW chargers with power sharing are also part of the new Burnaby hub, allowing up to eight EVs to charge at once.
BC Hydro
“Burnaby is excited to be part of this significant milestone to host the first 400-kilowatt chargers in our public charging network with a central location that’s easily accessible off Highway 1,” said Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby Centre, in a statement.
“These new BC Hydro chargers strengthen the Lower Mainland’s charging infrastructure, giving drivers more confidence to choose zero-emission vehicles.”
BC Hydro’s strategy focuses on providing numerous charging ports at station locations to reduce wait times for drivers, with some locations featuring up to 22 ports.
The Crown corporation has also added over 200 new charging ports in less than a year.
Along major highway routes, fast chargers are placed about every 150 km, with the so-called “Electric Highway” completed in September 2024. BC Hydro operates 114 of the 155 public charging locations along these corridors.
“We’re expanding B.C.’s clean electricity supply and strengthening our provincial grid to power homes, businesses, industry and the future of transportation, added Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO of BC Hydro.
“These new EV chargers in Burnaby are part of our investment in electric vehicle infrastructure – supporting EV adoption, reducing range anxiety and helping more British Columbians transition to zero-emission driving.”