UFV partners with BC Hydro, adding EV chargers to Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses

New EV chargers at the UFV Chilliwack Trades & Technology Centre.

Through a partnership with BC Hydro, the University of the Fraser Valley has increased electric vehicle (EV) charging options at its Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses.

The Chilliwack campus has added two direct current fast chargers (four charge points) near to Building A, which can add up to 180 kilometers of driving to an average EV in about 10 minutes. There are also four Level Two chargers at the Trades & Technology Centre (TTC) on the Chilliwack campus.

The Abbotsford campus has added four fast chargers, allowing up to eight EVs to charge at the same time, along with four Level Two charging spots, located in the southwest corner of Lot 10 by the Student Union Building.

The new BC Hydro EV chargers have a mix of connectors that allow all types of EVs to connect. In total, up to 23 vehicles can now charge at any given time on the Abbotsford campus, and up to 14 can charge in Chilliwack.

Some chargers on the Abbotsford campus are out of service following a fire in August.

Doran Hoge, UFV’s Director, Energy and Sustainability, says UFV is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in part by providing more sustainable transportation infrastructure for students, employees, and the public.

“As more people switch to electric vehicles, the expansion of EV charging stations on campus is an important step,” he says. “The chargers are also part of a broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote leadership in sustainable practices across all areas of the university.”

BC Hydro has been a key partner in many of UFV’s sustainability projects and was recognized with a Lifetime Ripple Maker paddle at last month’s St’elt’elawtexw: A Celebration of Community event. Charlotte Mitha, President and CEO of BC Hydro, says the new chargers are part of BC Hydro’s ongoing efforts to expand BC’s clean electricity supply and power the future of transportation.

“The new EV chargers in Abbotsford and Chilliwack are part of our investment in electric vehicle infrastructure — supporting EV adoption, reducing range anxiety in the Fraser Valley and helping more British Columbians transition to zero-emission driving,” Mitha notes.

Before the new chargers were installed, UFV’s other chargers were full much of the day with a long waitlist. These new chargers expand access to clean transportation options on campus, helping the UFV community take another meaningful step toward a greener future.

Charging smart: what to know before you plug in

To maximize the benefits of the new chargers, please take a moment to read through the following notes:

Spaces are limited; please only charge your EV when needed and do not park in EV charger spaces when not plugged in.

Be mindful of the cables and ensure they are not tangled when plugging in. This helps to extend their life.

If you see vandalism, please report it to UFV Security. We are working closely with our partners to prevent future incidents from occurring.

To use the BC Hydro EV chargers*, download the BC Hydro EV app and/or order an RFID card.

Once you create your account, add a payment method to your wallet and ensure you have a positive balance, then turn on auto-reload for seamless charging.

Check real-time charger availability, activate charging sessions and monitor your sessions in-app.

Use your BC Hydro EV account to activate charging sessions at roaming partners, including FLO, Circuit Electrique, and more.

If using UFV’s ChargePoint stations make use of the app features.

Check ChargePoint locations and charger availability.

When chargers are full, use the app’s waitlist feature to put yourself next in line to get a spot when someone finishes charging. (Make sure your notifications are activated.)

Start charging your car by tapping your phone to begin a session.

Get notifications when your car is done charging and move your car immediately.

Use your ChargePoint account to charge at Flo, BC Hydro and Circuit Electrique Stations.

* The BC Hydro chargers have a different fee structure than the existing ChargePoint stations on UFV campuses. Any questions regarding the BC hydro stations should be directed to BC Hydro, while those related to the ChargePoint stations can be directed to CFPM. Regardless of the charger type, EV users need to have a parking pass and must be actively charging.