American charging in Canada

[Dustus]

Hey all! My wife and I are taking a road trip up to British Columbia for a few days in the Mach E. Any suggestions as to what apps or accounts I should get setup for charging in that area? Wasn't sure if I can just pay with my card when I'm there or if I should install some of the BC Hyrdo EV apps or similar to make it easier. Any networks up there support plug and charge? Thanks!

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[Monke]

You two are brave. I hope you are going to Vancouver not the liard river hot springs. We drove past northern BC to MT and we were worried about finding gas. I remembered that there was not many stop/shop until we reached Calgary.

 

[eastern refugee]

OH MY GOD THIS IS EASY. Download ELECTRIFY AMERICA-CA. it is electrify America Canada. Separate app but Carrie’s over from electrify America here. I have the plus plan for $4 monthly. It Carrie’s over there. Call electrify America and they will explain. They are all over Vancouver/Calgary area. In between there are other networks but it is easy. Just use plug share and be VERY specific in the filters.
I use 150 minimum charging.
Anyway I am going to Penicton this summer and electrify is available the whole way.

 

[RickMachE]

What do you mean "it carries over"?

 

[Dustus]

EA looks pretty sparse in Canada from their maps. I'll be spending time in the Victoria area and there isn't any EA activity there. Looks like a lot of it is BC Hyrdo. Ford shows most of them in their network so I guess I'll find out if they are plug and charge or pay by credit card.

 

[RickMachE]

I don't know how you are seeing them in the network...

If you use the website, there are 91 "all charging speeds, all networks". Then I select Blue Oval Charge Network, and it drops to 51. Then I select DC fast chargers (min 50kw), and it drops to 4.

None of those are BC Hydro. To use BC Hydro, it appears you will need to use their app.

https://electricvehicles.bchydro.co...harging-network#Planning to use our stations?

They seem to be all Flo chargers. I would not expect Plug and Charge to work, because they are not in the network.

 

[DYohn]

Just beware that Canadian electricity is in KPH.

j/k.

 

[eastern refugee]

What do you mean "it carries over"?

In short you use your EA app that you have now.

 

[eastern refugee]

I don't know how you are seeing them in the network...

If you use the website, there are 91 "all charging speeds, all networks". Then I select Blue Oval Charge Network, and it drops to 51. Then I select DC fast chargers (min 50kw), and it drops to 4.

None of those are BC Hydro. To use BC Hydro, it appears you will need to use their app.

https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/charge/public-charging/our-fast-charging-network#Planning to use our stations?

They seem to be all Flo chargers. I would not expect Plug and Charge to work, because they are not in the network.

I do not use the blue oval network. I use plug share. The premium version allows you to set your filters. Flo I am told by my Canadian friends is fine. They are 150 chargers. Vancouver/Calgary are covered in EA

 

[mashedpatatas]

Unfortunately, the charging infrastructure in Vancouver is not as mature compared to nearby US cities. Here's my experience:

1. On The Run - fast charging (150Kwh) for the first 5-10 mins, then ~15Kwh after. It is completely FREE at the moment. Need to download Journie app and need to be in Canada to be able to download.
2. Shell ReCharge - advertised to be DC fast chargers but everytime I charge, it seems to be on peak hours and I get throttled down to ~40Kwh. Need to download Shell Recharge app.
3. BC Hydro - most reliable charger in my opinion although limited to around ~50Kwh. App is optional as there is a QR code on the machines that takes you to payment page using credit card.

The chargers in BC are far and few between and is not suitable for quick charging sessions. You'll need to plan ahead and have a few options in the area you're planning to charge. It seems to get better every time I visit so here's hoping they put up better and more chargers.

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