BC Hydro stations

[DJP]

I'd be interested to hear from a regular user of Hydro's Level 3 chargers about the impact of this change.

The timed rates were inequitable because some cars are able to charge faster than others and these were generally newer and more expensive EV's.

As unfair as the timed rates were, in my case, despite my Ariya being able to receive up to 130kW the most it ever received was 77kW from their 100kW DCFC's. The average charging session cost was around $0.25 per kWh. The new rate of $0.34 is significantly more.

 

[Rickker]

And Quebec's hydro is dirt cheap too!

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Ivy Network (found on the OnRoute Service Centers along the 401 in Ontario) who proudly announced their change to billing by the kWh. At 62¢ per kWh! Before, when they were billing by the hour, a charging session up to 80% was typically in the 40-45¢ range.
Fortunately, my driving routes are such that I can avoid charging there.

 

[Wildeyed]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Ivy Network (found on the OnRoute Service Centers along the 401 in Ontario) who proudly announced their change to billing by the kWh. At 62¢ per kWh! Before, when they were billing by the hour, a charging session up to 80% was typically in the 40-45¢ range.
Fortunately, my driving routes are such that I can avoid charging there.

Yikes!

 

[eCork]

We went from Kamloops to the lower mainland yesterday. Made 2 stops at Hydro chargers. I’d say it’s about 10% more expensive now, but still cheaper than most of the private options.

 

[electriceddy]

This new charging hub just completed looks promising.

Located in Oyama B.C (Lake country) featuring all wheelchair accessible with pull in parking. Connectors include CCS, J3400, CHAdeMO and J1772 with the fastest charger in B.C. rated at 350 kW activated with app, QR code or RFID card.
This charger also offers 'power-sharing', meaning two vehicles are charged at the same time at 175 kilowatts each.

There are also eight 180-kilowatt dual port chargers and four Level 2 chargers.
Current charges are $.35 per kWh (DC) and $.28 per kWh (AC) Future hubs are planned for Delta, Prince George, and Colwood.

 

[DJP]

Thanks for the info. That should drain some business from the companies charging $0.65/kWh

 

[insightman]

This charger also offers 'power-sharing', meaning two vehicles are charged at the same time at 175 kilowatts each.

Have you practiced the scowl you'll present to the EV driver who pulls in and chooses you to give up half of your 350 kWs?

 

[C02less]

Have you practiced the scowl you'll present to the EV driver who pulls in and chooses you to give up half of your 350 kWs?

This is the Kona EV forum. What is this 175kw charging you speak of?

 

[insightman]

This is the Kona EV forum. What is this 175kw charging you speak of?

Oops. I was thinking too far into the future of the Kona rather than the current model.

 

[electriceddy]

A new concept portable charging station is now live in Lumby, B.C.
I like it, preassembled skid comes complete with a mast ready for quick overhead hook-up, no underground preparations required.
Includes one shared 180 kW and one 100kW charger.
Great move B.C. Hydro, love to see more of these
Better pictures from Plugshare:

 

[GPM432]

A new concept portable charging station is now live in Lumby, B.C.
I like it, preassembled skid comes complete with a mast ready for quick overhead hook-up, no underground preparations required.
Includes one shared 180 kW and one 100kW charger.
Great move B.C. Hydro, love to see more of these
Better pictures from Plugshare:
View attachment 24671
View attachment 24672

I was told the other day that if you get a tesla adapter for your car you can then use all tesla chargers is that true. Plus they take a credit card and apparently they are cheaper. Thoughts please. PS don't get cheap adapter sometimes they don't work.

 

[JohnDD]

Yes, with a Kona 2021 and a third party adapter, you can charge at most Tesla Superchargers (but not all). The cost is expensive, about seventy cents per KWh. Also works on our 2024 EV6 when we travelled from Ottawa to Winnipeg and back last summer. Superchargers were convenient and expensive but only charged to 97 kW instead of the 250 or so that the Kia EV6 could take.

 

[electriceddy]

BC Hydro Ultra Fast charging Hub opens in Hope, BC.
Located close proximity to the 24 Tesla Supercharger at Esso/ Silver Creek Travel Center at 19700 Klassen Rd.
Site features (4) 350 kW chargers capable of feeding 8 EVs @ 175 kW each.
Price is similar to the Tesla (non member $0.37) @ $0.36 per kWh.
Should help relieve some congestion during peak travel times.

 

[electriceddy]

A new hub, 400 kW no less...just a few blocks from my house:

Cost still $0.36/ kWh all hours, but the 250 kW Tesla location just up the street is only $0.28 off peak (before 10 am and after 10 pm) if your trip time allows for the slower speed.

 

[R P]

Yes, I really like the new BC Hydro charging stations, high kW good for my car, and lots of stations, so always available. But don't do much road tripping this time of year. And ski hills are close enough that can get by with just a short free charge time on the way home.

 

[BrokeBoater]

We will make our first Vancouver run to YVR in 2 weeks. We like the NACS chargers & Tesla App over the BCH app and CCS heavy cable in the cold, although we do have an adapter. I am building an emergency plan (yah range angsitity - we are used to the Kona one unneeded stop at Manning Park). Been using Plug Share for that. Where is this one? It appears to be on a divided highway in the lower mainland. BTW we love our 2026 Solterra. It's very spacious and works well here in the OK Valley.

 

[R P]

Not sure I understand what you are asking. But there are a lot of charging stations along the way if you are coming from Penticton, on #3 hwy and then from Hope to YVR on #1. There is a free one at Hope Slide if you don't mind 50 kW. Use Plugshare, they will show all of them along the way. There is a big Tesla Supercharger one just past Hope on the south side of #1 called Silver Creek by an Esso station. Has a Ricky's if you want a bite. I like the On the Run at Hope, as they give a free coffee and 20% off at the White Spot there. Superchargers in hope as well. Anyway lots of choices all along the way.

I don't think you need to have range anxiety as there are charging stations at most 50 km apart for most of the way.

 

[BrokeBoater]

Yes we used the hope slide once when MP was all busy. Nice view but it was a bit grungy, I believe BCH has taken it over and is upgrading the infrastructure, The Hope "On the Run" is a great location despite the battery storage chargers they had that blew up with that Tesla. I believe they are up grading them and last time I looked they were all off line all across the province, for maintenance.

I don't see a problem until after the HP. The range anxiety is for the Hope to Broadway & Commercial stretch, if we come off the HP with the Kona level charge and it is raining and cold. The silver creek location I believe is NACS & CCS, and is a better location than down town Hope. I have pencilled in the Chiliwack mall if need be, but am doing some planning incase we get caught up in the Abbotsford YVR mess,
Our daughter has a grizzle-e level 2 so no big deal in Vancouver. The Kona was 35% to 40% left at her place after 80% charge at Manning Park.
We will see as at 1,500km we are still learning how high we can run the climate without making a big impact on range. The Kona was 21.5C. We will run the trip like the Kona but have backup plans.

I intentionally ran the Solterra down to about 9% a couple of weeks ago. Turtle mode started to kick in just under 12%. That charge to 80% seemed to reset (positively) the BMS. As a result most places on the number 1 are within reach if needed.