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EV Charging Stations
Skyline of Richmond, British Columbia
Ueutyi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

City guide

EV charging in Richmond, British Columbia

Richmond supports EV adoption with early EV-ready building rules and updated pricing for municipal chargers. Council adopted 100% EV-ready requirements for all new residential parking in December 2017 and added non-residential thresholds in 2023. Effective July 24, 2025, City-owned stations switched to energy-based billing with per-kWh rates and idle fees to improve turnover. ([City of Richmond][1])

City-operated Level 2 and some DC fast chargers are located at civic facilities and parks; the official 2025 map shows sites across City Centre, Steveston, Hamilton and more. Regional corridors are covered by BC Hydro's fast-charging network, which uses per-kWh pricing province-wide. ([BC Hydro][2])

PlugMapper consolidates live data from national and network sources to show real-time availability, connector types and power levels. Use it alongside Richmond's official map for a complete view of public options, from municipal Level 2 to nearby highway DC fast chargers. ([Natural Resources Canada][3])

Richmond, British Columbia EV charging snapshot

CleanBC and BC Hydro provide rebates for home, MURB and workplace chargers; the Province also funds public DC fast charging through the Go Electric Public Charger Program.

City EV charging fees
L2 $0.2865/kWh; L3 $0.3479/kWh

Energy-based pricing for City-owned stations effective Jul 24, 2025. ([City of Richmond][4])

Idle-fee policy
L2 $0.05/min; L3 $0.40/min

L2 idle fee 7am-11pm; L3 idle fee 24 hours daily (City stations), 2025. ([City of Richmond][4])

EV-ready (residential)
100% of stalls

All new residential parking must be EV-ready since Dec 2017 (Bylaw No. 9756). ([City of Richmond][1])

EV-ready (non-residential)
35% ready + 10% opportunity

Effective Oct 1, 2023 for new non-residential parking (Bylaw No. 10463). ([City of Richmond][1])

Plan charging routes with the PlugMapper map

Use the PlugMapper map to compare municipal and network chargers, filter by speed and connector, and navigate to available stations across Richmond.

  • Filter by charging speed to locate BC Hydro and municipal DC fast sites near Highway 99 and Bridgeport, plus convenient Level 2 at community centres and parks.
  • Use pricing filters to compare City per-kWh fees with network rates; tap a pin for idle-fee rules, parking hours and on-site access details.
  • Plan ahead with live availability and connector types; route planning avoids peak times at high-use civic lots and Steveston waterfront destinations.
Open the interactive map

Map coverage refreshes every six hours from AFDC and local utility feeds. Availability and pricing may change; confirm with the station operator before your trip.

Top EV charging stations in Richmond, British Columbia

Ordered by total public charging ports available, these five locations provide the greatest capacity for EV drivers across the city.

Need overnight charging? Toggle the map to Level 2 sites and look for garage locations with 24/7 access. Driving for hire? The fast-charge filter highlights plugs that meet local TLC or taxi requirements.

PlugMapper combines operator feeds, OpenStreetMap context, and user feedback. Spot an update? Open the station detail page to share changes so we can alert the network owner.

Incentives and rebates for installing EV chargers

CleanBC and BC Hydro provide rebates for home, MURB and workplace chargers; the Province also funds public DC fast charging through the Go Electric Public Charger Program.

City initiatives

  • Energy-based municipal charging (2025)

    City-owned chargers bill per kWh with idle fees to encourage turnover; Level 2 and Level 3 rates published by the City.

    View program details
  • EV-Ready Parking Requirements

    100% of new residential stalls EV-ready; non-residential requires 35% EV-ready plus 10% opportunity charging capacity (effective 2023).

    View program details

Utility programs

  • BC Hydro - EV Charger Rebates (MURB/workplace)

    Rebates up to 50% of eligible costs, caps per charger/site; pre-approval required while funding lasts (CleanBC-funded).

    View program details
  • BC Hydro - Apartment/Condo Support

    Support for planning, EV Ready infrastructure and networked Level 2 in multi-unit buildings, subject to program guides and funding windows.

    View program details

State & federal support

  • CleanBC Go Electric - Home & Workplace

    Rebates for single-family, MURB and workplaces; program terms updated in 2025 (Tesla equipment excluded from rebates after Mar 12, 2025).

    View program details
  • CleanBC Go Electric - Public Charger Program

    Capital rebates for public Level 2/DC fast projects with uptime and reporting requirements; rounds open and close periodically.

    View program details

Neighborhood coverage

City Centre

High density near No. 3 Road, Canada Line and civic facilities. Multiple Level 2s at City Hall and cultural venues; good access to BC Hydro DC fast on regional corridors. ([City of Richmond][4])

Steveston

Historic waterfront with community centre parking and park sites. Expect mainly Level 2 at civic facilities; plan charging before peak weekend visits.

West Cambie & Bridgeport

Gateway to Highway 99 and YVR approaches. Mix of private-network sites and nearby highway DC fast chargers; check PlugMapper for real-time availability when travelling. ([Natural Resources Canada][3])

Hamilton

Eastern Richmond residential-industrial mix with civic sites on the 2025 map. Availability varies by time of day; consider Level 2 top-ups at parks or community hubs.

Broadmoor-Thompson

Suburban neighbourhoods with access to municipal Level 2 at schools and parks; pair errands with opportunistic charging at community facilities.

Trusted resources

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost to use City-owned chargers in Richmond?

As of July 24, 2025, City stations bill per kWh: Level 2 $0.2865/kWh and Level 3 $0.3479/kWh. Idle fees are $0.05/min (Level 2, 7am-11pm) and $0.40/min (Level 3, 24h). ([City of Richmond][4])

Are new buildings required to be EV-ready?

Yes. Since Dec 2017, 100% of new residential parking must be EV-ready. From Oct 1, 2023, most non-residential parking requires 35% EV-ready plus 10% opportunity charging capacity. ([City of Richmond][1])

Where are fast chargers located?

City sites include some DC fast options, and BC Hydro's network covers nearby corridors. Use PlugMapper or the City's 2025 map to pinpoint current locations. ([Natural Resources Canada][3])

Do municipal chargers have time limits?

Idle fees apply when a vehicle remains connected after charging. Check on-site signage and PlugMapper notes for any posted dwell limits. ([City of Richmond][4])

How do I find reliable charger info?

Combine the City's official 2025 map with PlugMapper's live data and NRCan's national locator to verify power, connectors and access details. ([Natural Resources Canada][3])

Market insights shaping local charging

Energy-based billing should improve turnover at civic sites

Moving from time-based to per-kWh pricing with idle fees better aligns cost with energy delivered and discourages lingering, which should free up stalls at busy City Centre and Steveston locations. ([City of Richmond][4])

Richmond's EV-ready bylaws reduce retrofit costs in MURBs

Mandating EV-ready wiring in new residential parking future-proofs buildings, avoiding expensive panel upgrades later and accelerating at-home charging access for strata residents. ([City of Richmond][1])

Regional fast-charging fills intercity travel needs

BC Hydro's expanding per-kWh-priced DC fast network along provincial corridors complements Richmond's Level 2 network, supporting commuters and airport-area travellers who need quick top-ups. ([BC Hydro][2])

Public charger planning emphasizes uptime

CleanBC public-charger funding sets uptime and reporting expectations, which should lift reliability as more community DC fast projects come online in Metro Vancouver. ([Plug In BC][5])

Find dependable EV charging in Richmond

Filter by speed, price and availability to plan stress-free stops across civic sites and nearby corridors.