Colwood is fast becoming the go-to destination for electric vehicle (EV) owners.
BC Hydro has opened Vancouver Island's first EV fast-charging hub in the West Shore city, and more are on the way.
Located in Royal Bay, at the parking lot of the soon-to-open Quarry Park, the new hub offers eight charging ports, including four 180-kilowatt chargers, which in about 10 minutes can add up to 180 kilometres of driving to an average EV, says a BC Hydro news release.
Another EV charging hub is scheduled for installation by BC Hydro at the Colwood Park and Ride in February, notes a City of Colwood news release, which will provide an additional six fast chargers for the community, plus another eight chargers.
While the hub is the first of its kind on the Island, 180-kilowatt chargers have been available since September last year in Sooke. The four BC Hydro charging ports are located in the Evergreen Centre parking lot at 6660 Sooke Rd.
The new Royal Bay hub, located at 3588 Quarry St., came to fruition thanks to a collaboration between Colwood city staff, BC Hydro and local property owners.
At the same time as approving BC Hydro's request to expand the number of chargers at the Colwood Park & Ride last year, city staff worked to identify other areas in the community that met the technical requirements for additional EV charging stations.
"Expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Colwood is important for the growing number of EV owners in our community and helps to reduce our climate impacts and improve our air quality,” said Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi in a news release.
“It also stimulates our local economy by attracting eco-conscious businesses and creating new learning and employment opportunities in technology, construction, and maintenance of renewable energy infrastructure.”
BC Hydro's province-wide fast charging network currently includes 432 charging ports at 135 sites in communities throughout B.C. By spring 2026, BC Hydro hopes to double the number of charging ports in its network to 800.
Colwood's new EV charging hub will help support visitors to Quarry Park, which is expected to be complete and open to the public this spring with a new playground, bike park, lawn areas and trail connections.
The park is located next to the planned elementary school site owned by Sooke School District, which will offer additional opportunities for playgrounds and playing fields.
A 4.6-acre expansion of the park, currently under consideration, could allow for additional sports fields, public washrooms and change rooms, an outdoor covered area and a future community centre.
