Robert WebbEver run out of charge in your electric vehicle and get stuck in the middle of nowhere? Sounds straight out of a horror movie! Luckily, this isn’t a personal anecdote because I’ve never had that experience, and I hope that you don’t as well!
But if you’re new to the EV game, you have to know what type of charging station you need—like Level 1, Level 2, DC Fast Chargers, or Tesla Superchargers. Basically, these just go from the slowest to the fastest charge.
Don’t forget about the rates, either! Good for you, my EV buddies and I made a review of the best EV charging stations in Vancouver. Read on, and good luck on the road!
| How much does a charging station charge in Vancouver? Charging stations in Vancouver typically charge between $0.25 and $0.50 per kilowatt-hour, varying by location and station type. Additional factors, such as membership discounts and amenities, can also affect rates. |
How We Chose
1. BC Hydro Charging Station
Address: 561 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2V7, Canada
Contact Details: +1 866-338-3369
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Rates:
- Level 2 Charging – $0.2865 per kWh
- Fast Charging (labeled 25 kW or higher) – $0.3479 per kWh
- Idle Fee – $0.40 per minute
Downtown Vancouver’s BC Hydro Charging Station is a real gem for electric car folks. It’s smack dab next to the BC Hydro offices too, so we reckon you can’t miss this branch!
What’s more, weekends seem pretty chill there. For us, this is great so you won’t have to jostle for a spot. Perfect for topping up your wheels stress-free!
We love that this station’s got all kinds of chargers too. Whether you’re rocking a Tesla, Chevy Bolt, or something else entirely, it’s got you covered with 4 connector types: Combo (CCS), CHAdeMO, Tesla North American Standard, and J1772.
Just a heads up, though. Note that the parking here runs on an app-only payment system (i.e., you’ll need to use its app to pay up)!
Pros
- Convenient location next to its offices
- Offers 4 different connector types
- Not that busy on weekends
Cons
- Requires its app for payment
Customer Reviews
Great Spot
“Great spot to charge your car. It’s right next door to the BC Hydro downtown offices. Remember that this is a pay parking area by app only.”
-Mr. Bob Garlick, Google Review
Quick Charge
“Went on a Sunday so it wasn’t busy. Has a 40min limit. I was able to charge my Polestar 2 from 35% to 79% and it cost me $13.44.”
-Ms. Toni Anne Tajanlangit, Google Review
2. Tesla Supercharger
Address: Waterfront Centre, 200 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6, Canada
Contact Details: +1 877-798-3752
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Rates:
- $0.26 per kWh on average
Tesla Superchargers are among our top picks in the city, with a massive network of over 50,000 stations worldwide!
What’s cool for us is that you can juice up your car really quickly here—like, 200 miles in 15 minutes quick. These bad boys also pack a punch with automatic battery preconditioning and a max charging rate of 250 kW. Score!
And if you’re having trouble locating this particular branch, note that it’s at a one-way entrance in P3. And typical Tesla rates? They’re around 26 cents per kWh, but they can change from station to station.
On top of that, you have to pay for parking when you leave. But if you’re just chilling in your car while it charges, we like that parking’s on the house.
Be warned, though: parking’s a bit tight, and the patrols are strict. You could get a ticket for leaving your car or forgetting to pay for parking! We recommend playing it safe and following the rules for your own sake.
Pros
- Super quick charging
- Automatic battery preconditioning
- Reliable parking security
Cons
- Tricky entrance location
- Snug parking space
Customer Reviews
Easy and Convenient
“Easy access and convenient charging station. No Parking fee when you stay in the car while charging.”
-Mr. Steve, Google Review
Great
“This is a great Supercharger. It is in P3 and yes you don’t have to pay for parking if you are charging, but you do have to stay in your car. If you leave your car unattended you may get a ticket. It’s a fair trade, you are not parking but charging so..”
-Mr. Rahul Patel, Google Review
3. Sun Country Highway
Address: Canada Pl #1055, Vancouver, BC V6C 1C7, Canada
Contact Details: +1 866-467-6920
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Sun Country Highway is known to have some of the most powerful EV charging stations in Vancouver, complete with advanced cord management solutions.
We like that, no matter if you’re into overnight charging or more of a “top-up and go” kind of person, you can rely on its chargers.
And from home charging to business and fleet charging, it’s got all bases covered! Its Level 2 solutions range from 20A to 100A, all ready for indoor and outdoor use. It rocks a universal J1772 connector too, if you’re into this specific detail.
What we love most is that most of their Level 2 charging stations won’t cost you a dime! It all started in the Canadian prairies with a dream of offering free charging stations across the Trans-Canada Highway. Cool, right?
But sometimes, you might still stumble upon a Level 2 charging station that isn’t free. When that happens, the price can change depending on who’s hosting, so make sure to check before you charge.
Pros
- Beefy EV chargers and slick cord solutions
- Covers home, business, and fleet charging
- Great for night owls or quick-charge fans
Cons
- Chances of finding a non-free Level 2 station
4. ChargePoint
Address: Yaletown Park, 959-979 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1A9, Canada
Contact Details: +1 888-758-4389
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
ChargePoint charging stations are a game-changer in making things simpler! You’ll just use their app, find a station nearby, plug in, and chill. When you’re done, just unplug and carry on with your day. Really handy for folks on the go!
We like that it offers a bunch of ways to charge too. You may tap your ChargePoint card, hit the “Start Charge” button in the app, or use your phone on the station.
And if you’ve got a smartwatch? We love that you can use that too—talk about living in the future!
Here’s the thing about their pricing, though. We found that the costs differ at each station. Why? Because all their stations are independently owned—the owners or roaming partners get to set their own prices.
But don’t sweat it too much. We appreciate that its handy-dandy app gives you all the pricing info you need at different stations. It even lets you find free ones!
Plus, we love that you’ll be billed the price shown in the app, no matter what’s shown on the station itself. It’s all upfront, which can help you avoid surprise charges.
And in case you’re interested in owning one of its charging stations, you’ll have the freedom to charge in different ways: by the kilowatt hour (kWh), by the hour, a flat fee, or even an overnight or idle fee. Talk about flexibility!
Pros
- Lots of ways to charge
- Transparent pricing
- User-friendly app
Cons
- Pricing varies per station
5. FLO Charging Station
Address: 150 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1R8, Canada
Contact Details: +1 844-825-3356
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Whether you’re charging at home, at work, or for a whole fleet of cars, FLO’s covered you with one of the biggest networks in Vancouver and North America.
This company promises speedy charging here! For one, its charging station has 2 independent ports so that you can double up on the charging. Also, we think the nifty cable management system makes dealing with the cables a breeze.
Even if the weather’s horrible, we appreciate that you won’t have issues charging. Its DC fast chargers are built tough, with a non-corrosive 3R aluminum casing and a unique heating and cooling system.
The best part for us is that its universal chargers work with any car brand, even Teslas (if you’ve got the Tesla-provided adapter).
But like ChargePoint, the cost per charging session here is decided by the location’s owner. The fee can also vary based on where and how fast you’re charging. We recommend using the app to filter and find the right one.
Do note that the customer service here may occasionally have long wait times. When that happens, we feel all you can do is hang tight and be more patient.
Pros
- Extensive network
- Universal chargers
- Speedy charging with dual ports
- Weather-resistant units
Cons
- Variable charging costs
- Reports of long customer care queues
Customer Reviews
Great for Late Hours
“9-6pm 4$ per hour. 6pm to midnight is free”
-Mr. Alex Lescat, Google Review
Tips for Using EV Charging Stations in Vancouver
Now that you know more about the best EV charging spots in Vancouver, here are some handy tips for EV drivers:
Don’t be a charger hog!
Once your car’s juiced up, move it so others can plug in. Nobody likes a charger hog!
Get the right apps for finding chargers.
The apps are lifesavers. They show you where the charging stations are and let you reserve a spot, so you’re not left hanging.
Know your charging speeds.
Learn how fast your car charges with different types of chargers. That way, you can plan your stops and avoid sitting around longer than needed.
Consider getting a home charger.
Installing a Level 2 charger at home is super convenient. You can charge overnight and always start the day with a full battery.
Charge when it’s cheaper.
Check if your utility offers cheaper rates at night. Charging during off-peak hours can save you money and help keep the grid happy.
