A new EV charging network promises fewer headaches for B.C. drivers

EV drivers in Metro Vancouver may soon spend less time circling parking lots, squinting at plugs and wondering whether the charger in front of them will actually work.

Mercedes-Benz has opened the first three Canadian locations of its high-power charging network in Abbotsford, Pitt Meadows and Tsawwassen, kicking off a planned rollout of eight fast-charging hubs across the region. Five more sites are expected to open over the coming months, expanding the network to Coquitlam, Surrey, Squamish, Nanaimo and Penticton and extending fast-charging access well beyond Metro Vancouver’s urban core.

The pitch is simplicity. Every charging stall features a four-cable system that allows virtually any modern EV to plug in—no adapters required, no guesswork involved. “Every stall supports every vehicle—no adapters, no barriers,” said Heiko Schmit, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging North America and Canada. “It’s an important step in building the infrastructure EV ownership demands while strengthening the public charging network in Canada.”

The hubs use Alpitronic’s 400-kilowatt fast chargers, among the fastest currently available. Under ideal conditions, compatible vehicles can add up to 303 kilometres of range in as little as 10 minutes—roughly the time it takes to run a quick errand or grab a coffee. Plug-and-charge technology will also be available for supported vehicles, allowing charging and billing to start automatically when drivers plug in, without tapping cards or opening apps.

Several of the locations are being built at busy retail centres, with four developed in partnership with BGO Properties, including Tsawwassen Mills, Sunwood Square in Coquitlam and Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Nanaimo. “As property managers, our role is to create environments that are future-proofed and responsive to the evolving needs of our visitors and communities,” said Michelle Brown, head of BGO Properties, calling the charging hubs a way to enhance both tenant and visitor experience.

The Canadian rollout builds on Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. charging network, which now includes more than 650 high-power stalls. For B.C. drivers frustrated by inadequate charging infrastructure, the expansion promises a charging experience that’s faster, easier and a little less stressful.