Orders

 

ORDER NUMBER

G-354-23

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Public Electric Vehicle Charging Service Rates

 

BEFORE:

A. K. Fung, KC, Panel Chair

E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner

 

on December 18, 2023

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On July 28, 2023, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of the BC Hydro Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Service Rates Application (Application) pursuant to sections 58 to 61 and 90 of the Utilities Commission Act;

B.      By Order G-89-21 dated March 23, 2021, the BCUC approved the following time-based Rate Schedules (RS) on an interim, refundable and recoverable basis, effective May 1, 2021:

                                 i.            RS 1360 for fast charging service at 25 kilowatt (kW) stations at $0.12 per minute;

                               ii.            RS 1560 for fast charging service at 50 kW stations at $0.21 per minute; and

                             iii.            RS 1561 for fast charging service at 100 kW stations at $0.27 per minute;

C.      BC Hydro requests BCUC approval of the following time-based and energy-based EV charging rates, as set out in its new RS 4100, as amended:

Power Level	Time-Based Charge (cents / minute)	Energy-Based Charge (cents / kWh)
Level 2	3.03	28.28
Up to 25 kW Fast Charging	12.23	34.34
Greater than 25 kW and less than or equal to 50 kW Fast Charging	21.42	34.34
Greater than 50 kW and less than or equal to 100 kW Fast Charging	27.53	34.34
Greater than 100 kW and less than or equal to 200 kW Fast Charging	40.40	34.34
Greater than 200 kW Fast Charging	50.50	34.34
Extended Stay Charge	40 per minute

D.      By Orders G-219-23, G-259-23 and G-263-23 and letter dated December 12, 2023, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which includes public notice, letters of comment, intervener registration, one round of information requests (IR) to BC Hydro, a streamlined review process (SRP), and written final arguments;

E.       In its responses to IR No. 1, BC Hydro seeks approval of RS 4100 on an interim, non-refundable and non-recoverable basis to enable BC Hydro to charge for service at its new Level 2 and dual-port 180 kW EV charging stations;

F.       On December 11 and 12, 2023, the BCUC conducted the SRP of the Application;

G.      At the SRP, BC Hydro updated its interim approval sought for time-based rates for Level 2 and certain fast charging power levels, effective January 1, 2024. BC Hydro clarified that it is not seeking interim approval for rates pertaining to greater than 200 kW fast charging, energy-based rates, or the extended stay charge;

H.      BC Hydro also clarifies that it continues to seek approval for RS 4100 on a permanent basis when the BCUC renders its final decision on the Application; and

I.         The BCUC has considered BC Hydro’s request for interim rates and determines that approval of interim rates is warranted.

 

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to sections 58 to 61 and 90 of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:

 

1.       The following time-based rates (with no Deferral Account Rate Rider) in BC Hydro’s RS 4100 for Public EV Charging Service, as set forth below, are approved on an interim basis, effective January 1, 2024:

 

2.       The manner of treatment of any variance(s) between the approved interim and the permanent RS 4100 rates will be determined at the time that the BCUC renders its final decision on the Application.

3.       BC Hydro is directed to maintain RS 1360, RS 1560 and RS 1561 until the BCUC renders its final decision on the Application.

4.       BC Hydro is directed to file revised tariff pages reflecting the approved RS 4100 interim rates on or before January 5, 2024.        

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this             18^th         day of December 2023.

 

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

A. K. Fung, KC

Commissioner