How to Visit the Southern Gulf Islands With an EV: Where to Plug In and Charge Up
Are you considering taking the ferry to one of the Southern Gulf Islands this season but unsure if you should leave your electric vehicle (EV) at home? Thanks to the 30+ public charging stations sprinkled across the Salish Sea, you should have no problem getting around, plugging in, and getting back home again.
Islanders have long been leaders of the electric-powered movement. Just ask the thousands of EV owners who live here. With even the most roundtable circuit of each island never pushing your maximum range, our islands make for a stress-free EV road trip.
Here’s all the information you’ll need to plan your visit to the Southern Gulf Islands with an EV — and leave all your range anxiety at home.
Where To Charge Your EV in the Southern Gulf Islands
According to the latest numbers published by ICBC, as many as 6.5 percent of Salt Spring Islanders and 4.1 percent of residents across the rest of the Southern Gulf Islands own an EV. Outside of a few neighborhoods in West and North Vancouver, we have the highest rates of EV ownership in the province.
So it should come as no surprise that we also have a startling number of charging stations. No matter what island you end up on, you’ll have a public option for plugging in while driving around.
Of course, for the most accurate and up-to-date listings on EV chargers, it’s always a good idea to use one of the popular EV charging apps like PlugShare. More public chargers are constantly popping up (including 14 more Level 2 chargers planned for Salt Spring alone), and the older ones are getting rapid-charging upgrades.
But for planning purposes, let the following list of our local public EV charging stations serve as a starting point for your next Southern Gulf Islands adventure:
EV Chargers on Galiano
- Galiano Community Hall, 141 Sturdies Bay Rd
- Bodega Ridge, 120 Manastee Rd
- Galiano Conservancy Association‘s Millard Learning Centre, 10825 Porlier Pass Rd
EV Chargers on Mayne
- Arbutus Rock Cottage, 317 Wood Dale Dr
EV Chargers on Pender Island
- Sea Star Estate Farm & Vineyards, 6621 Harbour Hill Dr
- Driftwood Centre, 4605 Bedwell Harbour Rd
- Hope Bay, 4405 Bedwell Harbour Rd
- Nosy Point Bed & Breakfast, 4606 Oak Rd
EV Chargers on Salt Spring Island
- CRD Portlock Park, 145 Vesuvius Bay Rd
- Salt Spring Island Golf & Country Club, 805 Lower Ganges Rd
- Country Grocer, 374 Lower Ganges Rd
- Moby’s Pub, 124 Upper Ganges Rd
- Rainbow Recreation Centre, 262 Rainbow Road
- The Rental Stop Ltd., 327 Rainbow Rd
- Art Spring, 100 Jackson Ave
- Salt Spring Island Public Library, 129 McPhillips Ave
- Ciderworks, 161 Cranberry Rd.
- Fulford Community Hall, 2591 Fulford-Ganges Rd
- Burgoyne Valley Community Farm, 2232 Fulford-Ganges Rd
- Salt Spring Inn, 132 Lower Ganges Rd (check-in with the hotel desk for access)
EV Chargers on Saturna
- Arbutus Point Campground, 103 E Point Rd
Don’t Forget: Resorts, Hotels, and Bed and Breakfasts Also Have Chargers
Beyond the dozens of public stations dotted across the islands, many local businesses have also installed private stations for the use of their guests.
If you’re heading here for a getaway, be sure to ask your hotel, bed and breakfast, or resort about nearby options for charging your EV. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover they have one on-site.
For example, Salt Spring Island’s Cusheon Lake Resort has a J-1772 charging point for its guests. On Mayne, the Mayne Island Resort has a station (three types of plugs) for its guests. Not all private charging stations pop up on the apps, so it does pay to ask when you book.
Etiquette for Charging Your EV at Your Accommodation
Did you know you can often filter accommodations results for our area around EV charging as an amenity? With this filter turned on, dozens of accommodation providers pop up with this option.
But what’s the etiquette here?
If the charging rules aren’t available on the listing, it’s polite to inquire with the host before finalizing the booking. Critically, if you plan on plugging into the wall with just an extension cord, you’ll also want to confirm this is allowed.
Be sure to follow any rules the property has in place, like whether they restrict charging times per day or by maximum hours. In some cases, you may have to pay an additional fee.
Never plug in at an accommodation provider unless you have confirmed beforehand that it’s acceptable. Having everyone on the same page will prevent any uncomfortable host-guest misunderstandings.
Visit the Southern Gulf Islands for the Ideal EV Road Trip
There are ample charging options across all the islands, from community halls to vineyards and resorts to accommodations. With more being added and upgraded all the time, tap into EV charging apps like PlugShare for the latest locations, and remember to check with your accommodation for private charging options.
Exploring the Southern Gulf Islands with an EV is not only feasible but also convenient. You won’t have to plan fancy charging station logistics or make any complicated range calculations while en route. Thanks to our extensive network of over 30 public charging stations, your next trip here is well within range.
Written by Jessica McKeil
