B.C. Hydro has introduced an optional time-of-day billing plan for its residential customers, especially benefiting EV owners. This plan allows customers to pay different rates for electricity depending on the time of day, potentially saving money by shifting their usage to off-peak hours.
Benefits of the Time-of-Day Billing Plan
- Cost Savings for EV Owners: If you own an electric vehicle, you can significantly reduce your charging costs by taking advantage of the lower rates offered during overnight hours.
- Savings for All Customers: Even if you don’t own an EV, you can still benefit by shifting some of your household energy usage, such as running dishwashers, washing machines, or other heavy appliances, to the overnight period.
- System Efficiency: Time-of-day pricing helps balance the electricity system’s capacity throughout the day. By reducing peak demand, B.C. Hydro can minimize the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades, ultimately benefiting all customers.
Current B.C. Hydro Rates
Currently, B.C. Hydro’s tiered rate system charges 10.97 cents per kWh for the first 675 kWh in a 30-day billing cycle. Any usage beyond this threshold is billed at 14.08 cents per kWh. The time-of-day plan modifies these rates by providing a discount during off-peak hours and a surcharge during peak hours.
Time-of-Day Billing Plan Details
Here is a table summarizing the key details of B.C. Hydro’s new time-of-day billing plan:
| Billing Period | Rate Adjustment | Details |
| On-Peak Period | +5 cents per kWh | 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. local time |
| Overnight Period | -5 cents per kWh | 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. local time |
| Off-Peak Period | No discount or surcharge | 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. local time |
| Basic Charge | 22.53 cents per day | Covers fixed customer-related costs |
Stay Updated
The new rates start from June 28th. Keep an eye out for updates and new options that could help you optimize your energy usage and save on your electricity bill. For more information, check out the B.C. Hydro news page.