BC Hydro has doubled the number of chargers at its electric vehicle fast charging site in Coquitlam with the addition of two new 50-kilowatt charging units. This updated location now has four fast chargers to support electric vehicle adoption in the community.
"B.C. has one of the largest public electric vehicle charging networks in Canada, but running out of power with no place to charge up, especially on longer trips, can still be a worry for people," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. "Together with BC Hydro and other partners we're continuing to expand our public charging network to reduce range anxiety and encourage more drivers to make the switch to an EV powered by B.C.'s clean electricity."
The Coquitlam site originally opened in March 2018 and is located in the parking lot of the Real Canadian Superstore (1301 Lougheed Highway). The site has two 50-kilowatt charging units which can add 50 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes. On November 20, two additional 50-kilowatt charging units were brought into service.
"This expanded charge site will help British Columbians get to where they need to go more quickly and reliably, all while using clean energy," said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. "More electric chargers bring both environmental and economic benefits as we work towards lowering our climate-changing emissions 40 per cent by 2030."
This updated location also includes a curbless design and lower displays on the new chargers for better accessibility.
"This expanded site with four chargers will make public charging more convenient for electric vehicle drivers in Coquitlam," says Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville. "The site is located in a busy commercial area and will support EV drivers with access to reliable charging while they shop."
Transportation accounts for about 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. In September 2021, BC Hydro revealed its Electrification Plan, with initiatives to encourage B.C. residents, businesses and industries to switch to hydroelectricity from fossil fuels to help reduce carbon emissions. The plan encourages switching from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles.
"As the primary fuel supplier for electric vehicles, we are building out charging infrastructure to ensure we can accommodate the volume and variety of electric vehicles that will be on B.C. roads in the coming years," says Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "BC Hydro will have 325 charging units in its network at 145 sites by the end of 2025."
BC Hydro's provincewide fast charging network currently includes 156 charging units at 84 sites in communities throughout B.C. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.
