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BRITISH COLUMBIA – New BC Hydro research finds while range anxiety may be a thing of the past with the evolution of battery technology, charging anxiety is real for BC EV drivers – particularly those planning road trips. Many worry about the availability of public chargers along their route and at their final destination.
The adoption of EVs across British Columbia has increased significantly. There are now more than 120,000 EVs on the road, and BC Hydro predicts there will be 700,000 to 900,000 in the next 10 years. A new survey conducted on behalf of BC Hydro found that of the 40 per cent of British Columbians looking to purchase a new vehicle in the next three years, three-quarters are considering a plug-in vehicle.
While range anxiety – the worry about how long a battery can last between charges – used to be one of the primary barriers to EV ownership, with the evolution of battery technology that now has the average EV travelling 350 kilometres between charges, this seems to be taking a backseat to what many are now calling charging anxiety.
Charging anxiety is the uncertain feeling that chargers won’t be available at the driver’s destination. With British Columbians being big road trippers – 90 per cent of British Columbians take one road trip a year and 70 per cent take two, 50 per cent of non-EV drivers have said they would worry about taking an EV road trip because they are unsure that the EV charging stations would be available on route or at their destination.
Those considering EVs are less concerned about getting from point A to point B, and are now may be worried about what happens when they get to their destination. This is especially true for those travelling at peak times to very popular destinations who may encounter lineups at popular charging stations. More than 80 per cent of non-EV drivers said the thought of having to wait in line to charge their vehicle may make them less inclined to purchase one.
For British Columbians considering purchasing an EV, there are already more than 2,000 public charging stations across the province. BC Hydro’s provincewide fast charging network includes 151 public charging units at 84 sites in communities throughout BC with the goal of having 3,000 charging units in place in the next 10 years to make public charging more accessible. BC is also a great place to drive an electric vehicle as 98 per cent of electricity generated comes from clean and renewable resources helping drivers significantly reduce their carbon footprint. These are just a few of the many reason why BC is a leader in electric vehicle adoption in North America.
For those facing destination anxiety, BC Hydro recommends the following:
- Use the PlugShare app to find charging stations and keep others informed: leave a comment on PlugShare if there is a problem with a station or to let other drivers when to expect the charger will be available.
- Keep etiquette in mind: limit charging to a maximum of around 30 to 40 minutes and avoid parking at an EV charging stall if not charging or waiting to charge. Based on customer feedback, BC Hydro is proposing an extended stay charge of 40-cents per minute to discourage idling and help ensure its popular public chargers are available to more drivers.
- Plug in at your destination with a standard outlet: all EV models can plug into any standard household outlet. This is called Level 1 charging and takes about 8 to 12 hours, but ensures that no matter where you are, you can always recharge overnight.
- Check out the newest technology at Fully Charged Vancouver: Fully Charged LIVE is a fun-filled, knowledge-packed festival of electrification. Coming for the first time to Vancouver from September 8 to 10, it is an opportunity to learn more about the latest in EVs and EV technology. For more information, visit ca.fullycharged.live.
Visit bchydro.com for more information on EVs and EV rebates.
