Province powers up North with major electric vehicle investment

“As conflicts overseas increase pain at the pumps here at home, more British Columbians are switching to electric vehicles,” Dix said in a statement. “We need to make sure they can count on a charging network that is convenient and reliable.”

Right now, BC Hydro has 917 public fast-charging ports at 190 locations across the province. As more people drive electric vehicles, the need for charging stations has grown quickly.

Provincial data shows that over 238,000 light-duty zero-emission vehicles were registered in B.C. as of April 1, 2026. That’s a big jump from just over 3,000 in 2015.

BC Hydro says the expanded network will increase charging capacity, cut down on wait times, and make charging more reliable for drivers.

Faster Chargers and New Features

BC Hydro says the next charging hubs will use faster and more advanced technology.

The new charging stations will use 200-kilowatt chargers as the standard. Some busy locations will get ultra-fast 400-kilowatt chargers that can greatly reduce charging times.

BC Hydro also plans to add features to make charging easier, like plug-and-charge technology and tap-to-pay options.

All new charging sites will have a standard design to make them more accessible, reliable, and easier to maintain. BC Hydro also plans to build bigger charging hubs in key spots to handle more demand, especially during busy travel times.

Some locations will offer extra amenities like washrooms. Special “showcase sites” may have canopies and digital signs.

“British Columbians are adopting electric vehicles at one of the fastest rates in North America, and we’re building the charging network needed to support that growth,” said BC Hydro President and CEO Charlotte Mitha. “We’re giving EV drivers confidence they can have dependable charging wherever their journey takes them in B.C.”

Building on the Electric Highway

This expansion builds on the success of B.C.’s Electric Highway, which is a network of fast chargers set up about every 150 kilometres along major highways and travel routes.

Provincial officials say these new investments will make the network stronger by adding more charging capacity and expanding coverage in communities across B.C.

The project also supports B.C.’s larger goal to cut transportation emissions and give drivers a more reliable charging experience.

Additional Funding Available

In addition to BC Hydro’s expansion, the Province is offering more support through the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program.

Applications are now open for about $18 million in funding to help businesses, Indigenous communities, municipalities, utilities, non-profits, and public-sector groups install new public fast chargers.

The funding will focus on rural, northern, and Indigenous communities, and on places where current charging stations are busy and have long wait times.

Growing Network

B.C.’s charging network has grown quickly in recent years. There are now over 8,900 public charging ports, which is 87 percent more than in 2023. More than 2,300 are fast chargers, and almost 6,600 are Level 2 chargers.

In 2025, the zero-emission vehicle sector added about $2.1 billion to B.C.’s economy and supported over 16,000 jobs.

Government officials and industry groups say this new investment will help charging infrastructure keep up with the rising number of electric vehicles in B.C. and support the move to cleaner transportation.

by Dave Branco

Province powers up North with major electric vehicle investment

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