BC Hydro Expands its Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Site in Quesnel

January 11, 2023

BC Hydro has doubled the capacity of its electric vehicle fast charging site in Quesnel with the addition of a new 100-kilowatt charging unit.

“We are working to make it easier for drivers in B.C. to go electric and use more of B.C.’s clean, reliable hydroelectricity,” says Hon. Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation. “This charging location in Quesnel will help make public charging more convenient as a growing number of people in northern British Columbia make the switch to electric vehicles.”

The Quesnel site originally opened in January 2020 and is located in the Extra Foods parking lot at 2335 Maple Drive. The site was built with one 50-kilowatt charging unit which can add 50 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes. On November 21, an additional 100-kilowatt charging unit was brought into service which can add 100 kilometres of driving to an average electric vehicle in about 10 minutes. This updated location also includes a curbless design and lower displays on the new charger for better accessibility.

“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 add 325 charging units to its network at 145 sites within the next five years.”

Transportation accounts for about 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. In September, 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.

BC Hydro’s province wide fast charging network currently includes 122 charging units at 80 sites in communities throughout B.C. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.

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