British Columbia is on the verge of completing a significant milestone, with the imminent launch of the provinces Electric Highway, a network of fast-charging stations that spans the entire province.
The Electric Highway will feature 155 charging sites equipped with over 310 fast chargers, with some locations also offering additional Level 2 chargers. Each stations is placed approximately every 150km (93 miles) along major highways, ensuring that electric vehicle (EV) drivers can travel from the northernmost reaches of British Columbia down to the US, or from Vancouver Island to the Alberta border, without the worry of running out of power.
The network has been fully installed and all stations are scheduled to be turned on by the end of September.
BC Hydro also announced it will add to the Electric Highway with the introduction of 400 kW fast-charging stations by early next year. These chargers are capable of delivering 100km (62 miles) of charge in just two to three minutes, and will be installed along major highways.
“British Columbians are embracing electric vehicles faster than any other jurisdiction in Canada and that’s why we are continuing to make investments for growth within our current system and building out our fast-charging network across B.C. The Electric Highway allows our customers to drive from one end of Vancouver Island to the other, from the Sunshine Coast to the Alberta border and from the southern part of the province all the way to the Yukon border, knowing they’ll have access to reliable charging the entire way,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro.
The development of the Electric Highway is one part of the province’s CleanBC climate action plan, which also sets a long-term goal of 10,000 public charging stations by 2030. So far over 5,300 public charging stations have been installed across the province, a 350% increase since 2018.
This rapid expansion of charging infrastructure is crucial as B.C. continues to witness a significant uptick in EV adoption. In 2023, EVs accounted for approximately 23% of light-duty vehicle sales in the province, up from 18% in 2022.
Along with the completion of the Electric Highway, the province has also announced a $14-million increase in funding for the GoElectric Home and Workplace Charger Program.
