Electric vehicle charging, photo by Michael Fouserton Unsplash, shown for illustrative purposes only

Electric vehicle charging at gas stations and parking lots

To support more electric vehicle (EV) charging across Vancouver, we're updating business licences for gas stations and commercial parking lots to encourage them to provide charging for EVs.

Changes effective January 2026

  • Annual business licence fees will be $10,000 for
    • Gas stations
    • Commercial parking lots with 60 or more stalls
  • Gas stations and commercial parking lots that have installed a specified amount of EV charging will have a significantly lower business licence fee.
  • The minimum charging specifications are: 
    • Gas stations: 50 kW (equivalent to a lower powered DC Fast Charger)
    • Commercial parking lots: 26.6 kW (equivalent to four level 2 chargers)
    • Gas stations may install EV charging off-site to qualify for the lower business licence fee

Review the stakeholder implementation guide (6 MB) Watch the video to learn more about these changes 

Initiate the process to purchase and install EV charging early

Due to supply chain issues, it may take longer to purchase and install EV chargers. If EV charging infrastructure is installed after business licence renewal in fall 2025, a business may be subject to the higher business licence fee starting in 2026. Details on how to update your business licence will be available on this webpage and shared with businesses next year.

Program details