BC Hydro stations

[SkookumPete]

There was some discussion on another thread about whether the dc stations can serve both plugs at once. The answer is no.

Just a heads-up to those living in the province or visiting it. BC Hydro is converting all their stations to require membership in their new club. From my experience the other day, it seems that requesting activation by phone is as onerous as joining the club, so if you don't already belong you'll need the app and a few bucks in your account.

https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/electric-vehicles/charging/fast-charger-support.html

 

[CJC]

There was some discussion on another thread about whether the dc stations can serve both plugs at once. The answer is no.

Just a heads-up to those living in the province or visiting it. BC Hydro is converting all their stations to require membership in their new club. From my experience the other day, it seems that requesting activation by phone is as onerous as joining the club, so if you don't already belong you'll need the app and a few bucks in your account.

https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/electric-vehicles/charging/fast-charger-support.html

I just signed up. Can I add the money to my account later at the charge station before I charge? I hate to put money in case I don't use it.

 

[SkookumPete]

I just signed up. Can I add the money to my account later at the charge station before I charge? I hate to put money in case I don't use it.

I'm just going by my unsuccessful attempts to unlock free Flo chargers with an empty account. Let us know your experience.

 

[Canada Dan]

The BC Hydro units near me use Greenlots rather than Flo. Are they switching them all to Flo?

 

[Canada Dan]

Oops, read the article dummy. They're switching from Flo to their own app. I assume the same for the ones in the Okanagan that are Greenlots.

 

[electriceddy]

There was some discussion on another thread about whether the dc stations can serve both plugs at once. The answer is no.

Just a heads-up to those living in the province or visiting it. BC Hydro is converting all their stations to require membership in their new club. From my experience the other day, it seems that requesting activation by phone is as onerous as joining the club, so if you don't already belong you'll need the app and a few bucks in your account.

https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/electric-vehicles/charging/fast-charger-support.html

That is absolutely ridiculous using three different rfid cards in different areas.
I have $35 in my FLO account, $15 in my Greenlots account, now I have to give BC Hydro MORE$ for a third rfid card and account min balance? (no cell for app) prefer to use rfid anyway.
I will be on the phone with them ...later.

 

[SkookumPete]

That is absolutely ridiculous using three different rfid cards in different areas.
I have $35 in my FLO account, $15 in my Greenlots account, now I have to give BC Hydro MORE$ for a third rfid card and account min balance? (no cell for app) prefer to use rfid anyway.
I will be on the phone with them ...later.

They do seem to be rationalizing their system. But it's a good question whether you'll get any benefit from your other account balances besides being able to unlock level 2 networked stations.

 

[SkookumPete]

Oops, read the article dummy. They're switching from Flo to their own app. I assume the same for the ones in the Okanagan that are Greenlots.

"For the spring of 2019, the BC Hydro EV App and RFID card will work at BC Hydro stations formerly on the Flo network (mainly in the Kootenays). By the end of the summer, access will be extended to most stations on the BC Hydro network, including those currently carrying the Greenlots sticker."

 

[electriceddy]

They do seem to be rationalizing their system. But it's a good question whether you'll get any benefit from your other account balances besides being able to unlock level 2 networked stations.

If you look at the BC Hydro support page , "what do I need to do before using a fast charging station?" three different rfid cards are required depending in or outside the Kootenays, 2 in the Kootenays (bc Hydro and Flo) and 1 out (Greenlots...likely) so good luck

 

[SkookumPete]

If you look at the BC Hydro support page , "what do I need to do before using a fast charging station?" three different rfid cards are required depending in or outside the Kootenays, 2 in the Kootenays (bc Hydro and Flo) and 1 out (Greenlots...likely) so good luck

Yes, that is the case now, but their intention is to switch entirely to their own network, which makes sense.

 

[electriceddy]

So I applied for the rfid card at a cost of $15 Cdn ( will be mailed) and phoned the help line to advise them that there is no way to re-charge the card on the Website
https://ev.bchydro.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=/
The response is that right now there is no cost to charge at them, however I told him that there are 2 in town , one free and one @ $.35 / kWh.
I also advised him that all the other rfid cards I have were at a cost to purchase but the cost was rolled into the account balance (basically making them free), hopefully this is what will happen but I doubt it.
Also the help # has time limitations (certain hours M=F S &S)

 

[KonaTom]

Tried charging at the BC Hydro fast charger at the superstore in Nanaimo, and got a message saying there was a communications error with the car. I see on the plug and share app that other people have had the same problem. Don't know if it is province wide or just that charging station. Also, that station and others in the area do not show up on the BC Hydro app charger map. So I suspect they are not converted yet to BC Hydro charge network. Probably still greenlots, and if that is the case, the problem may be with the charging station. I saw it was out of order two days ago for maintenance by BC Hydro, so maybe they screwed it up with the update.
I've loaded funds into the BC Hydro charging network, but now wonder if I need the rfld card too, or can I just use the app on the phone to activate charging stations. Bummer if I have to pay $15 more to get the card. Anyone with more info?

 

[electriceddy]

Tried charging at the BC Hydro fast charger at the superstore in Nanaimo, and got a message saying there was a communications error with the car. I see on the plug and share app that other people have had the same problem. Don't know if it is province wide or just that charging station. Also, that station and others in the area do not show up on the BC Hydro app charger map. So I suspect they are not converted yet to BC Hydro charge network. Probably still greenlots, and if that is the case, the problem may be with the charging station. I saw it was out of order two days ago for maintenance by BC Hydro, so maybe they screwed it up with the update.
I've loaded funds into the BC Hydro charging network, but now wonder if I need the rfld card too, or can I just use the app on the phone to activate charging stations. Bummer if I have to pay $15 more to get the card. Anyone with more info?

How did you load funds? With Greenlots its easy, but when I phoned BC Hydro ( the response was " it's free right now and the ability to load funds into your account is presently unavailable") , keep in mind I don't have the app loaded on any cellphone

 

[KonaTom]

How did you load funds? With Greenlots its easy, but when I phoned BC Hydro ( the response was " it's free right now and the ability to load funds into your account is presently unavailable") , keep in mind I don't have the app loaded on any cellphone

You need the app . I tried for two days but it wouldn't accept my info to register, and then today it worked and allowed me to load funds.

 

[KonaTom]

I just talked to BC Hydro. Only a few stations in the Kootenays are currently converted to their network. They will be adding more. Current stations show on the map in the mobile app, and it they don't, they are still greenlots controlled. They also said that if the station shows on the map, it should be accessible from the app and a charge started. I couldn't test this as no sites on Vancouver Island are in their network. So you shouldn't need the rfld card, but I already ordered it. They also said the charge for the card is not added to your funds, so it is an extra money grab.

 

[electriceddy]

You need the app . I tried for two days but it wouldn't accept my info to register, and then today it worked and allowed me to load funds.

Then you need a cellphone c/w the mobile app because there is no place to add funds without it on the BC Hydro pc based app.
https://ev.bchydro.com/Account/Login
See also Fast charging support/question- how do I pay for the charge? Specifically says order a network specific/ BC Hydro EV rfid card and load funds into it.
https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/electric-vehicles/charging/fast-charger-support.html
Any chance of a screenshot showing page where to load funds on your BC Hydro EV mobile app?

 

[KonaTom]

Then you need a cellphone c/w the mobile app because there is no place to add funds without it on the BC Hydro pc based app.
https://ev.bchydro.com/Account/Login
See also Fast charging support/question- how do I pay for the charge? Specifically says order a network specific/ BC Hydro EV rfid card and load funds into it.
https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/electric-vehicles/charging/fast-charger-support.html
Any chance of a screenshot showing page where to load funds on your BC Hydro EV mobile app?

Here it is. You can see the top part shows the funds in the mobile app, the bottom shows I have ordered the card too. You have to click the My Cards link from the main menu.

 

[electriceddy]

Here it is. You can see the top part shows the funds in the mobile app, the bottom shows I have ordered the card too. You have to click the My Cards link from the main menu.
View attachment 4336

Thanks for that. Guess I'll be on the phone with them again tomorrow. Seems unfair forcing someone to purchase a cellphone/carrier just to load funds into an account for a service that will be used (for me) exclusively with an rfid card.

 

[KonaTom]

They should allow you to load funds without the app. The rep told me they are learning too and will be making changes as they go along. Also, you might not need the card on Vancouver Island for some time yet. They have to work out the details with Greenlots for the transfers to their network, and it might take some time. By then, maybe they will have their act together.

 

[electriceddy]

They should allow you to load funds without the app. The rep told me they are learning too and will be making changes as they go along. Also, you might not need the card on Vancouver Island for some time yet. They have to work out the details with Greenlots for the transfers to their network, and it might take some time. By then, maybe they will have their act together.

Than they should also merge networks with Flo (Kootenays) , as already between the 2 networks I have $50 worth of charging credits; AND in addition they should apply the cost of B.C. Hydro RFID acquisition to charge credits like Flo and Chargepoint .
Still early as you said, but someone has to input.