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f-stop
Active Member
Which part(s) of Vancouver will you be visiting or staying in? Knowing that will help narrow down your choices, I'm happy to help you with more detail if you let me know where...
There's no Supercharger in Vancouver itself, but a brand new one opened this week in nearby Tsawwassen (12 stalls) - though that one is probably out of the way unless you're staying in the area or planning to use the ferry to elsewhere.
In general, there's a lot of public L2 chargers around, mostly in public parking lots. Most of them are free to charge, just pay the regular parking fee. There's a few that are free to park & free to charge. However note that a handful of the city operated ones as of Nov 15th have started charging a fee to charge (eg $2/hr + parking). There's a handful of fast DC chargers to be found but not many. A number of hotels also have Tesla destination chargers.
Most of the public L2 chargers around here are on either the ChargePoint or FLO.ca networks. So to use those, before you arrive be sure to sign up for a free account for each, and get their smartphone app - even though many locations are free to charge, you need the account to activate the station. ChargePoint additionally offers a free RFID card - often quicker/more convenient to activate a station than using the app. The ChargePoint app also works with Apple Watch to activate a charger, if you have one of those. FLO wants $15 to get their RFID card, so just use their app.
if using any of the public L2 chargers, you simply need your J1772 adapter that came with the car, be sure to bring that.
Also, check out Plugshare.com (and put the plugshare app on your phone) - and as I said, if you let me know which area I can give you specific suggestions (or just PM me)
dmd2005
Active Member
That’s a snapshot if the charging stations on plugshare that are in downtown Vancouver. You might want to book at a hotel with destination charging. If you are in a bind and low on charge arriving downtown, you can always ask the Tesla Robson store if you can use one of their HPWC at the Hotel Vancouver parking lot they keep their test drive cars.
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f-stop
Active Member
ok, so downtown core then... there are a lot of options, as I said many public lots have chargers, mostly free to charge but pay parking. and yes, check plugshare, maybe a hotel you'd like to stay at has destination chargers.
Generally parking downtown is kinda expensive, but I know a few places with fairly reasonable evening parking rates and free chargers. So if your hotel won't have charging and you have time to leave your car parked somewhere for a few hours to top up, perhaps worthwhile to get 30km/hr while shopping downtown or out for dinner (look up details on plugshare):
- 745 Thurlow - underground parkade, relatively new building, the 10 non-networked L2 chargers (free) are seldom occupied so pretty good chance to get a charger, although located deep deep deep down in the parkade. Flat $6 evenings (6pm-11pm) and $6 all day weekends. 1 block away from busy Robson St shopping & restaurant area. Parkage is not gate-controlled, so you can drive in to take a look first.
- Mainland St - 2 ChargePoint chargers and street parking spots. used to be free charging & free parking but as of 11/15, $4/hr parking + $2/hr charging 9am-6pm. But still free outside those hours. Note however that this location is very popular and often occupied. check beforehand for status/availability on the ChargePoint app (another reason to get the app beforehand)
- 800 Burrard - 2 free chargers, underground parking is $6 evenings (3-11pm). However the chargers are non-networked units so you can't check status online beforehand, and the parkage gate-access controlled so you take your chances going in
- Vancouver Public Library on Hamilton St - 3 ChargePoint chargers (2 are shared so 16~30A), reg parking fees + $2/hr to charge 9a-6p but free charging outside those hours, and overnight parking is possible (I believe $8 6p-6a).
- if you're further south in the downtown core near BC Place Stadium, the new Parq Casino has a 15 free L2 chargers, although parking rates are higher than the other places mentioned. There's a couple hotels attached to the casino, not sure what hotel guest pay for parking
- just slightly out of the downtown core, but worth a visit sometime during the day anyhow when the Market is open, on Granville Island there are two ChargePoint L2 stations, free parking & free charging (3hr max).
- also slightly out of downtown core, Kitsilano Beach - 2 free ChargePoint chargers on street parking (free parking, 3hr max). Popular location because it's free (but again, you can check availability on the app ahead of time)
- the newer/larger Tesla Store on Fir St & W 4th Ave is also just out of the downtown core, but in a pinch you might be able to ask staff for a charge on one of their HPWCs in their underground parkade. It's a short walk from there to Granville Island.
CalBlue mentioned the chargers at Oakridge Centre Mall - yes, it's a very popular location and it's not downtown but if you're in the area there are 12 chargers there, free parking free charging, max 4hrs while shopping (2 Tesla HPWC 80A, 2 dual-head ChargePoint and 6 FLO chargers)
f-stop
Active Member
ps one other tip, unrelated to charging... if you’re planning to park your car anywhere on city streets where there are parking meters (also in certain parking lots) I recommend you get the PayByPhone app and set up an account with your credit card (app works for other cities too).
Then to pay for parking you never need to fumble for change, plus the added advantages that you get notifications before your time is up, and can easily extend time on the meter remotely. Alternatively you can pay-by-phone via a voice call, but the app is faster and more convenient.
Bonus: many meters have 2hr limit posted but by using the app after 6pm you’re allowed 4hrs parking.
If you have a CHAdeMO adapter, Empire Field in East Vancouver (about 10 minutes from downtown) has a free parking / free charging. Also newly opened Canada Supercharger (Tsawwassen Mills Mall) near the border crossing (slightly off the highway to the US, but not that bad) are other options.
Hugh Mannity
Mediocre Member
F-stop mentioned the paybyphone app which is excellent, there is also another app “easypark” that can be used in some locations as well.
Of course PlugShare is the ultimate resource for charging locations, it’s my bible when I’m travelling places without super chargers.
www.paybyphone.com
www.easypark.ca
Of course PlugShare is the ultimate resource for charging locations, it’s my bible when I’m travelling places without super chargers.
www.paybyphone.com
www.easypark.ca
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I'm trying to figure out if I should drive my ICE vehicle or my Tesla Model 3 for a visit to Vancouver. I'll be staying with family on the east-side of Vancouver, close to Burnaby and Boundary Rd. I think I'l only have access to 110v for over night charging, but I was wondering if there were other public chargers around for me to use to keep my car charged up.
dmd2005
Active Member
There is a Supercharger in Surrey at Guildford Mall. Top up there before heading into Burnaby.
There are a bunch of Level 2 chargers if you are near Metrotown that you can charge if you are near south Burnaby and head near Brentwood Mall area for a couple of Level 2 stations around central/north Burnaby. Look up the stations on Plugshare and you’ll be fine.
There are a bunch of Level 2 chargers if you are near Metrotown that you can charge if you are near south Burnaby and head near Brentwood Mall area for a couple of Level 2 stations around central/north Burnaby. Look up the stations on Plugshare and you’ll be fine.
Thanks for the info. I was thinking of the Surrey Superchargers for topping up on the way in and on the way out. How busy are the Level 2 Chargers in the area? I know there are a lot of Tesla's and other EVs in the Vancouver area. Will I be dealing with long waits?
My biggest fear is struggling to get enough charge to do my daily driving while I'm there visiting.
dmd2005
Active Member
If you’re just driving around town the 110V would suffice for overnight charging if you are staying within Vancouver/Burnaby. There is a Supercharger downtown Vancouver but with paid parking. Lots of Level 2 chargers spread throughout Vancouver. Took me about 6kW of energy to get from Boundary/Hwy 1 to Surrey Supercharger today. You’ll have lots of range left getting from Surrey to Burnaby.
Plus, don’t take an ICE since gas prices are sky high at $1.67/L for regular in Vancouver today.
Plus, don’t take an ICE since gas prices are sky high at $1.67/L for regular in Vancouver today.
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Thanks a ton for the info. This has been very helpful. I heard the prices for gas were crazy high out there, and I really would like to try to the drive from Calgary to Vancouver in my Model 3.
Lon12
Member
I drove to Vancouver from Calgary about four times last year with my 85S. Did my first Model 3 drive two weeks ago (aero covers on). Used 40 kWh less than the S. Used 164 kWh for the return leg to Calgary and spent 1:45 total time charging.
I don't have a place to level one charge over night so I have to use public chargers. I think you should be fine if you can slow charge. It's been amazing to watch how many Level 2 and 3 chargers have been installed in Vancouver over the years. But they can be very busy. I had to wait on occasion for the HPWC to free up at Oakridge Mall. I had to use the Flow and ChargePoint apps a few times. Life would be much easier if Tesla would let me use my CHAdeMO adaptor with the 3.
On the way back to Calgary I only charged to 67% at Hope. Didn't mean to charge that much but the coffee stop took a bit longer than I wanted. Fully intended to stop at Merritt. But as we approached Merritt the trip planner said we could make it to Kamloops so I kept going.
Arrived in Kamloops with 12%. I sure couldn't do that with the S. I kept a spreadsheet of my charging stop data. If you are interested I could send it to you.
Unfortunately most of the higher elevation parts of the highway have no lane markings visible so couldn't use Autopilot on some sections.
We also did a trip down to Seattle. On the way from Seattle to Vancouver only used 33 kWh, 145 Wh/km for the 231 km leg. I was impressed with how polite the Washington drivers were compared to Vancouver or Calgary drivers.
ralph142
Member
“We also did a trip down to Seattle. On the way from Seattle to Vancouver only used 33 kWh, 145 Wh/km for the 231 km leg. I was impressed with how polite the Washington drivers were compared to Vancouver or Calgary drivers.”
Lol, we’re rather notorious for being left lane squatters.
Lol, we’re rather notorious for being left lane squatters.
This is in burnaby near Willingdon and Canada way.
There is about 6 level 2 and 2 DCFC at BCIT, Google Maps
You can register here EV Portal
Parking lot is busy during the day, quiet at night. Pay parking.
There is about 6 level 2 and 2 DCFC at BCIT, Google Maps
You can register here EV Portal
Parking lot is busy during the day, quiet at night. Pay parking.
Vancouver drivers are just as bad, if not worse.
Which section of the highway don't have lane markings?
How much driving do you plan on doing while you are over here?
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