Driving an electric car around Greater Victoria has never been more convenient, thanks to the expanding charging station network. Knowing where to charge your vehicle is essential. This guide highlights key charging options across the Capital Regional District (CRD), including Victoria, Saanich, and beyond.
How Do I Find a Charger for My Electric Car?
To start, here are some key charging locations across the region:
Victoria: The city maintains multiple charging stations, including downtown locations and parking lots. Use Victoria’s EV charging map to find a station near you.
Saanich: Charging stations are available at municipal buildings and commercial centres. More details can be found here.
Oak Bay: The district offers EV chargers at the Oak Bay Municipal Hall, Oak Bay Recreation Centre, and Henderson Recreation Centre; check here for details.
Esquimalt: EV charging options are available through Esquimalt’s municipal services.
Colwood: A major EV charging hub is available at Quarry Park, with expansion plans for Colwood Corners. Learn more here. There are also 2 DC fast chargers at the Colwood Exchange Park & Ride.
Central Saanich and Saanichton: Several locations offer EV charging, including the Municipal Hall, Peninsula Co-op, and Marigold Cafe. Find more info here.
Sooke: Charging stations can be found at municipal buildings and select businesses. More information is available here.
The CRD offers a variety of public charging stations, including Level 2 and Level 3 DC fast chargers. Many of these stations are operated by networks including:
These charging stations can be found using their apps. A helpful app to download is PlugShare, which lists all of the known public charging stations in the area.
Research the charging station requirements before arriving at your destination. Many of these networks require users to register in advance before you can use their stations.
How Do I Use a Charger?
Many of the charging networks will send you a card, which you use to access and pay for the stations. Some stations will also accept other forms of payment, but the cards are the safest option because they still work if you are in an area of poor cell coverage, your phone dies, or the station itself loses connectivity.
When you arrive at the charger, the first thing to do is select the right connector for your car. Most are either CHAdeMO or Combo CCS. You can check your car’s manual if you aren’t sure which connector your EV uses.
How Much Does Electric Car Charging Cost?
Charging costs depend on the location and type of charger:
Public Level 2 Charging: Often free at municipal sites, but some private stations charge a small fee per hour.
DC Fast Charging: Costs are generally higher than Level 2 charging, and vary depending on the station operator and your vehicle’s battery size.
Home Charging: The most cost-effective option, with Level 2 home chargers operating at a fraction of the price of public stations.
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