An idle fee is an additional cost that's applied to your charging session bill. This fee is applied when your vehicle stays connected to the fast charger after it has finished charging, preventing other drivers from using the charger.
Idle fees encourage considerate EV charging etiquette, shorten wait times, and help to promote efficient use of our fast charging sites.
How much is the idle fee
Effective May 1, 2024, the idle fee is:
| EV charger power level | Idle fee (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Fast charging | $0.40 per minute |
| Level 2 | Not applicable. Please be courteous to other drivers and move your vehicle as soon as it's done charging. |
How it works
Once your vehicle stops charging, you have five minutes to disconnect before you'll be charged the idle fee.
For example, if your vehicle finishes charging at 10 a.m. but remains connected to our fast charger until 10:20 a.m., you'll be charged an idle fee of $6 (before tax).
- Five minute grace period: no fee
- 15 minutes of non-charging idle time at $0.40 per minute: $6 idle fee.
Idle fees are billed on a prorated, per-second basis, to the nearest minute.
Idle fee notifications for app users
As a BC Hydro EV app user, you can choose to be notified by either email, text (SMS) or Push notifications when your vehicle stops charging and when idle fee billing starts.
To select how you'd like to be notified, login to the EV app, select My Account, and select Notifications.
If you're using an iOS or similar Google OS device, check that your device's Notifications preferences are also set to receive Push notifications.
Idle fee notifications for RFID users
As a BC Hydro EV RFID card user, you can choose to be notified by email or text (SMS) when your vehicle stops charging and when idle fee billing starts.
To select how you'd like to be notified, login to the EV app, select My Account, and select Notifications.
Or log into your BC Hydro EV account on your desktop platform. Then, select Profile and select Notifications.
Idle fee notifications for one-time credit card payments
If you activate your charging session through a one-time credit card payment (using the QR code on the charger), you'll need to provide your mobile number and email under Payment details when authorizing the session on your mobile phone. You'll received notifications when your vehicle stops charging and when idle fee billing starts via email or text (SMS).
Idle fee notifications on roaming partner apps
The idle fee notification feature isn't currently available through our roaming partner apps.
How to view your transaction history
You'll receive a charging activity email summary detailing the total cost of your session, including any applicable idle fees. This will be shared with you at the end of your BC Hydro EV charging session.
You can also download your transaction and payment history anytime by logging into your EV account.