A pair of high-capacity, 400 kilowatt electric vehicle charging stations are now online at Rock City Centre along the Island Hwy. in Nanaimo, bolstering a network of EV charging points up and down Vancouver Island. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW))

By Alex Rawnsley

powered up

Vancouver Island’s fastest EV chargers officially open in Nanaimo

Jan 30, 2026 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — New EV chargers recently opened to the public are promising to deliver 100 kilometres worth of travel in a matter of minutes.

BC Hydro recently unveiled a pair of 400 kilowatt EV chargers, along with two 180 kilowatt Level 2 chargers, in Nanaimo at Rock City Centre on the Island Hwy.

Installation of the stations took place late last year, with the infrastructure brought online earlier this month.

“It’s all part of the EV highway, making sure people can go from Victoria to Port Hardy using their electric vehicle, and going from Tofino all the way to the Alberta border should they want to,” Ted Olynyk, BC Hydro’s regional manager of community relations said.

“Every 150 kilometres, roughly, along major routes we have high speed chargers so people can fully charge their vehicle.”

sustainable grads

Prom Closet Nanaimo celebrates 12 years fitting grads with pre-owned formal wear

6h ago

big boost

$77M added to Nanaimo public works yard budget

9h ago

expression vs decency

Review of Port Theatre requested as Nanaimo Council avoid cancelling controversial comedian

11h ago

Olynyk told NanaimoNewsNOW the only other 400-kilowatt charger in the immediate vicinity was at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) campus in Burnaby.

The fast chargers provide a significant boost in charging, compared to other stations, which typically max out at 250 kilowatts.

Olynyk said the stations are open to all EV owners.

“It has a myriad of different adapters on the charger to support all the vehicles and their charging needs, including the Tesla. Tesla did have a unique one compared to others. Older vehicles will have a certain type of charger, but I understand a lot of vehicles are going towards adopting the Tesla style to charge their vehicle.”

More of the super-charging stations are planned for installation throughout this year, further bolstering a growing network on Vancouver Island.

Tesla-specific charging stations have been installed in recent years at Country Club Centre and Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo, while numerous gas stations and hotels have the infrastructure on their properties.

The City of Nanaimo owns and maintains several EV charging stations at City parks and facilities.

We’re on Bluesky! Stay up to date on news across central Vancouver Island through Bluesky, by following @NanaimoNewsNOW.bsky.social.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook