EV charging and your BC Hydro bill
Rates and rebates make EVs in B.C. even more affordable
If you're like most electric vehicle (EV) owners, you'll do the majority of your charging at home or at work.
The rest, you'll likely supplement with charging at public charging sites, where fast chargers are often available.
Rebates are available for the purchase and installation of Level 2 chargers. These rebates mean that the overall cost of charging can be an accessible option for many people.
Estimating charging costs
To get an idea of the total costs of EV ownership, consider the purchase price versus the rebates available. You should also consider the lower maintenance costs versus the prospect of battery replacement in the future.
You can estimate your BC Hydro electricity cost of charging different EVs with the CAA's Electric Vehicle Cost Calculator.
Optimal time-of-day pricing
Want to manage home electricity consumption as an EV owner? Consider opting in to our tiered rate with time-of-day pricing.
If you opt in:
- You'll get a discount of 5-cent per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electricity use between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- You'll pay a 5-cent surcharge per kWh for usage from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This is a good option for EV owners who can charge their EV at home overnight.
By adjusting when you charge your EV this plan can help you save money and reduce demand on our electrical grid during peak hours.
Learn more about the rate plan and estimate your costs
For separate EV meters
If you have a second electricity meter connected to your EV charger, you can choose to just have that meter billed on time-of-day pricing. This would allow you to continue to use electricity at home during the on-peak period without a surcharge.