BCUC's Role

The BCUC reviews rate applications from public utilities that are offering public electric vehicle charging services, fleet electrification, and natural gas for transportation, in accordance with the Clean Energy Act, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation, and Utilities Commission Act.

1. Electric Vehicles Public Fast Charging

   Public utilities are permitted to invest in electric vehicle charging stations that meet criteria under section 5 of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation. The BCUC approved the following rates for public utilities’ electric vehicle fast charging service in British Columbia (BC).

   View rates for electric vehicles public fast charging

   Charger Power Level per kilowatts (kW)	FortisBC1	BC Hydro2
   25 kW	-	$0.12/minute
   50 kW	$0.26/minute	$0.21/minute
   100 kW	$0.54/minute	$0.27/minute

   ¹ The BCUC approved FortisBC’s permanent rates by Order G-350-21.
   ² BC Hydro’s current interim rates are in effect by Order G-89-21. BC Hydro will file an application for permanent electric vehicle fast charging rates by December 31, 2022. BC Hydro’s electric vehicle charging rates are tied to BC Hydro’s general rates. When BC Hydro’s general rates change, electric vehicle charging rates will also change.

   
   
   

2. Electric Fleet Charging

   Electric fleet charging rates apply to eligible BC Hydro customers who operate electric fleet vehicles or vessels that they own or lease, such as electric transit bus fleets. These rates are for customers who use BC Hydro’s charging service for 150 kW and over.

   In 2020, the BCUC approved BC Hydro's Overnight Rate for overnight fleet charging at a depot and a Demand Transition Rate for in-route charging during fleet operating hours by Order G-67-20. The fleet charging rates for BC Hydro were in response to customer requests and to encourage conversion of fleet vehicles and vessels from fossil fuels to electricity.

   View rates for electric fleet charging

   Charge Type	Description	Overnight Rate	Demand Transition Rate
   Basic Charge	This is a daily amount that partially recovers fixed customer-related costs, including metering, billing, payment processing, collections, and distribution system costs such as electrical lines and transformers.	$0.2672/day	$0.2672/day
   Energy Charge	Measured in kilowatt per hour (kWh) of electricity used.	$0.0746/kWh	$0.0917/kWh
   Demand Charge	This is the rate at which electricity is used. Peak demand is the highest rate of electricity use during a period of time. Electricity use is measured per month or every two months and customers are billed for their highest point of electricity consumption.	Free between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. $12.34/kWh for all other hours	Free until March 31, 2026. After this time, the rate will match the Large General Service Demand Charge until March 31, 2032.

   
   
   

3. Zero Emissions Vehicles Charging in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings

   Most electric vehicle charging takes place at home. However, many apartments, townhouses, and strata buildings do not have the infrastructure to support charging electric vehicles in their parking areas - according to our Electric Vehicle Inquiry Phase 1 Report (page 19).

   In April 2019, the BCUC approved BC Hydro's application to facilitate more zero emissions vehicles¹ charging at home by Order G-92-19. Residential customers living in multi-unit residential buildings can combine their billing from multiple electric meters (e.g., separate meters for an apartment unit and for electric vehicle charging in an underground parking stall) under one account so that they pay one Basic Charge for all electricity consumed instead of having multiple accounts.

   ¹ The Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Act defines ZEV as a motor vehicle that is propelled by electricity or hydrogen from an external source and emits no greenhouse gases at least some of the time while the motor vehicle is being operated. As BC Hydro is an electric utility, this Electric Tariff amendment enables customers to have an additional meter installed for their electricity needs.

   
   

4. Natural Gas for Transportation

   Under section 2 of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation, public utilities may;

   • provide grants or zero-interest loans to persons in BC for the purchase or conversion of eligible vehicles and machines that is fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquified natural gas (LNG), and
   • construct or purchase CNG or LNG fuelling station(s), including distribution and storage facilities up to maximum ceiling amounts and time limits.

   The BCUC approved the following FortisBC Energy Inc. CNG and LNG stations and associated station rates as of July 1, 2023.

   View rates for Natural Gas Transportation

   FortisBC Energy Inc. - CNG and LNG Station Approved Station Rates

   Location	Fuel Type	Maximum Station Rate1	Third Party Access	Rate Change Date	Rate Schedule or Tariff Supplement Number
   Abbotsford	LNG	$6.918	Yes	January	J-3, J-9, J-27, J-54
   Abbotsford	CNG	$11.456	Yes	January	J-8, J-22, J-66, RS 6P, J-23, J-7
   Abbotsford	CNG	$8.784	No	July	J-17
   Burnaby	CNG	$16.126	Yes	July	J-1, J-6, J-24, J-25, J-31, J-43, J-50, J-51, J-52, J-53, J-57, J-69
   Coquitlam	CNG	$4.411	No	January	J-4
   Coquitlam	CNG	$3.432	No	January	J-2
   Delta	CNG	$9.588	Yes	July	J-60, J-61, J-62, J-63, J-64, J-65, J-67, J-68, J-70, RS 6P
   Kamloops	CNG	$14.155	Yes	January	J-20, J-44, J-58
   Kelowna	CNG	$12.283	No	July	J-16
   Kelowna	CNG	$11.597	Yes	July	J-12, J-21, RS 6P
   Kelowna	CNG	$11.877	No	September	J-5
   Nanaimo	CNG	$16.355	Yes	January	J-26, J-28, J-33, J-35, J-37, J-42, J-71
   Richmond	CNG	$11.168	No	January	J-49
   Richmond	CNG	$12.076	No	January	J-40
   Surrey	LNG	$10.894	Yes	July	J-10, J-18
   Vancouver	CNG	$8.013	No	July	J-30
   Vancouver	CNG	$11.353	No	November	J-15
   Victoria2	CNG	$14.862	Yes	January	J-11, J-13, J-19, J-36, J-38, J-47

   ¹ Where applicable, the following station charges have been included, Spot Charge, Short-term Charge, and Host Fee. User rates may vary depending on the terms of the applicable fueling services agreement.
   ² Victoria station rates reflect permanent rates currently applicable to existing third-party customers.