The City of Vancouver is rolling out updated business licence requirements for gas stations and commercial parking lots, aiming to increase the availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the city.
Starting January 2026, annual business licence fees will jump to $10,000 for these businesses that don’t meet the new charging standards.
If you operate or manage a gas station or a parking lot with 60 or more stalls, here’s what you need to know to avoid higher fees and plan ahead.
What’s Changing?
Under the updated by-laws, the following businesses must install a minimum amount of EV charging infrastructure to remain in the lower fee category:
- Gas Stations: At least 50 kW of charging (e.g. one DC Fast Charging Station), either on-site or off-site with pre-approval.
- Commercial Parking Lots (60+ stalls): A total of 26.6 kW (e.g. four Level 2 Charging Stations) on-site.
Beginning January 1, 2026, gas stations or large parking lots without the specified charging will face a $10,000 annual business licence fee.
Why Start Now?
Upgrade Delays
Electrical upgrades (if required) can take months to plan and install. If you install chargers after renewing your licence in fall 2025, you may not qualify for the lower licence fee in time for 2026.
Early Compliance
By submitting your verification package before the September 1, 2025, deadline, you lock in the significantly lower fee, which helps reduce costs and prepares your business for the rapidly growing number of EV drivers in Vancouver.
Steps to Compliance
Even though the official process is laid out by the City of Vancouver, approaching it in an organized way helps you meet every requirement on time:
- Plan and Assess
- Review your site’s current electrical capacity and gather any existing electrical drawings.
- Determine how many EV chargers you need and where you want to install them.
- Pre-Approval (Optional)
- If you’re a gas station looking to place chargers off-site, email to confirm your alternative location.
- Hire Qualified Professionals
- Work with an electrician or electrical engineer to confirm power requirements. Hypercharge can handle this for you via our network of Preferred Partners.
- Obtain Permits and Install
- Your electrician applies for the necessary electrical permit with the City of Vancouver.
- Install chargers that meet the required power output (50 kW for gas stations or 26.6 kW for large parking lots). Hypercharge is your expert in this process and can create a unique package that fits your business while fulfilling requirements.
- Submit Verification Package
Hypercharge Pro Tip: Visit provincial and federal EV charging rebate program websites to see if you qualify for incentives. Additional funding helps offset installation costs and speeds up your return on investment.
Mixed-Use Parking Facilities
If your parking lot combines residential and commercial use, only the commercial stalls count toward this policy.
Parking lots with under 60 commercial stalls are exempt from the $10,000 fee.
This distinction provides flexibility for properties that primarily serve residents but also host public or commercial parking.
How Hypercharge Can Help
End-to-End Installation
Hypercharge coordinates permits, performs charger installations, and ensures proper connectivity—giving you a turnkey solution that meets the City’s power output requirements.
Key Dates to Remember
- Fall 2025: Business licence renewal period.
- September 1, 2025: Deadline to submit the verification package.
- January 1, 2026: $10,000 business licence fee goes into effect for non-compliant businesses.
Talk to Hypercharge
As EV charging specialists, we understand the unique challenges of installing EV charging infrastructure in gas stations and parking lots across Vancouver.
Hypercharge provides advanced EV charging solutions tailored to meet your property’s current needs while preparing for future growth.
Schedule a free EV charging consultation with one of our experts to learn more about how to make the most of the new Vancouver requirements and the best EV charging solution for your business.