British Columbia and BC Hydro are launching a major expansion of the province’s public electric vehicle network that will see the number of charging ports more than triple over the next decade.

Supported by a $700-million investment, BC Hydro plans to deploy 3,500 new public charging ports by 2035. The utility currently operates 917 charging ports across 190 locations in B.C.

Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix says the push aims to provide a convenient, reliable network as overseas conflicts drive up gas prices and prompt more residents to make the switch to electric vehicles.

The expansion will focus on building new charging hubs in urban centres, along major highway corridors, and in rural communities.

New sites will feature a standardized design for improved accessibility, with 200-kilowatt fast chargers set as the new network standard. Select high-demand locations will receive 400-kilowatt ultra-fast chargers, and signature locations will offer added amenities like washrooms, canopies, and digital signage.

Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO of BC Hydro, says British Columbians are adopting EVs at one of the fastest rates in North America, making the network upgrade vital to meeting growing demand and cutting wait times during peak travel periods.

In addition to BC Hydro’s expansion, the province is opening applications for the $18-million CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program. The funding is intended to help local governments, Indigenous communities, businesses, and non-profits build public fast chargers, with a focus on northern, rural, and underserved areas.