EV network planning
We operate a large network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in B.C. As EV adoption grows in the province, our charging network must as well. By the end of 2030, we plan to have 3,000 EV charging ports available across B.C.
Our plans to expand the BC Hydro EV charging network are informed by the Government of B.C.'s EV network plan. Our role is to connect the province with public charging infrastructure and to support urban, en-route and rural travel.
We also look at trends in EV ownership and usage of existing charging sites to help us identify where new sites or expansions to existing sites would be most beneficial.
Our current sites and expansion plans
View a map of our current live network
You can also view our network map on the BC Hydro EV mobile app, or other popular EV charging apps and websites.
Five-year plan:
BC Hydro has developed a Five-year EV fast charging network deployment plan [PDF, 1.18 MB] to provide information to communities and interested parties on how BC Hydro is planning to expand the public charging network in the context of the CleanBC Go Electric Plan.
Maps of our network expansion plans:
- Current and upcoming stations map [PDF, 288 KB] – Displays current BC Hydro charging sites as well as sites that have been confirmed for upcoming construction.
- 2025 fast charging network map by region [PDF, 304 KB] – Displays BC Hydro's planned number of site deployments by region at the end of 2025.
Here are the categories we use when planning new fast charging sites, and the characteristics of each.
| Urban/community | Travel corridor |
EV charging hubs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designed to | Support charging needs in the community | Support inter-city travel | Support higher volumes of vehicles |
| Location examples | Grocery stores; community centres; shopping areas | City centres along major highway corridors; rest areas | High population urban areas; near major highway corridors |
| Ideal charging duration | 40 to 60 minutes |
20 to 40 minutes | 15 to 60 minutes |
| Site layouts | Pull-in or pull-through | Pull-in or pull-through | Pull-in or pull-through |
| Chargers per site | 2 to 4+ | 2 to 4+ | 4 to 8+ |
| Power level | 25 kW to 50 kW, generally | 50 kW to 180 kW+ | 25 kW to 180 kW+ |
We consider a variety of important factors when determining where to build new charging sites, or which existing ones to expand. These factors include:
- Priority areas identified by the Government of B.C.'s EV network plan
- Proximity to other chargers
- Proximity to core travel corridors
- Proximity to amenities
- Site safety
- Availability of parking lot space (minimum four stalls of space must be dedicated to the site)
- Availability of power
In general, our site design adheres to our EV fast charging station design guidelines. Key considerations for designing or upgrading sites include:
- Power levels (25 kW, 50kW, 100 kW, 180 kW etc.) and number of chargers at a site based on projected usage
- Safety and sight lines
- Accessibility
- Space for future expansion
Would you like to be a site host?
A BC Hydro EV charging site is a well-lit, safe, and welcoming location for drivers to charge their EVs day or night. As a site host, you'll receive a reliable, BC Hydro built and operated public fast charging site that will draw customers to your business or property.
If your site meets the mandatory requirements below and is along a major travel corridor, submit a site proposal for consideration.
To be considered, your site will need to meet these requirements:
- Public can access it 24 hours a day on every day of the year, or during the site's hours of operation.
- It has space for a minimum of:
- Six to eight parking stalls if it's in a busy urban area or along a key travel corridor.
- Four parking stalls if it's in a smaller community.
Other resources
If you're interested in building your own public fast charging station that's not part of the BC Hydro EV network, we provide design and operation guidelines to help.