Federal Investment for New EV Chargers Across Ontario

WHITBY, ON, March 5, 2024 /CNW/ - Making the switch to an electric vehicle (EV) is a win-win for families looking to save money while reducing pollution — due to cheaper refuelling and lower maintenance costs — most EVs cost less than their internal combustion engine counterparts over their lifetime. The widespread shift to electric-powered transportation also poses a tremendous economic opportunity, creating manufacturing jobs across Canada.

Today, Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a federal investment of $1.8 million to the Region of Durham to install 174 chargers across the region.

The chargers are expected to be installed by November 2025 and will help EV drivers get to where they need to go with confidence and ease. Before hitting the roads, Canadians can easily map out their route by consulting Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) Electric Charging and Alternative Fuelling Station Locator. 

To help drivers make the switch, the Government of Canada is supporting the deployment of a coast-to-coast-to-coast network of charging stations along highways and in communities' public places, on-street, in multi-use residential buildings, at workplaces and for vehicle fleets. To date, federal investments are helping to deploy over 47,000 EV chargers across the country.

Federal funding for these projects was provided through Natural Resources Canada's Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. This investment supports commitments included in the recent Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, which proposed to further accelerate the production of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). This production aims to increase the supply of ZEVs made available to Canadians, ultimately contributing to the national target of all vehicles sales being ZEV by 2035.

"We're making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more available where Canadians live, work and play. Investing in more EV projects, like the ones announced today across the Region of Durham, will put Canadians in the driver's seat on the road to a strong, healthy net-zero future." 

 The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

"Today's announcement of $1.8 million will make possible the installation of another 174 chargers in Durham region, making the experience of driving an electric vehicle more convenient and stress-free. This forward-looking initiative will not only power our vehicles but drive us toward a sustainable and greener future."

Ryan Turnbull
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Member of Parliament for Whitby

"Building on our history as a home of automotive energy sector innovation, we see electric vehicles as a key part of our strategy to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and realizing the economic benefits of the clean energy transition. We are grateful for the diverse group of funding partners in Round 3 and 4 of the ZEVIP application and look forward to working together to steer our community to achieving our climate goals and creating a greener Durham."

John Henry
Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Region of Durham

• On-road transportation accounts for about 18 percent of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions.
• Phasing in 100 percent new electric vehicle sales by 2035 is projected to reduce over 360 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, avoiding almost $100 billion in global damages.
• The Government of Canada has allocated over $1 billion in funding to support the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations across the country.
• The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program provides funding to support the installation of EV chargers in multi-use residential buildings, at workplaces, on-street, at public places and where EV fleets are serviced.
• The Canada Infrastructure Bank's (CIB) Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure initiative was created to invest in large-scale ZEV charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across Canada that is revenue generating and in the public interest.
• To date, CIB has announced funding for 4,000 fast chargers through two projects with Flo and Parkland.
• The Government of Canada's Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program has helped over 300,000 drivers make the switch through incentives of up to $5,000.
• Provincial incentive programs are also available to help more Canadians purchase or lease an EV.
• Over 50 models qualify for the federal iZEV purchase incentive in 2023, which is an 80 percent increase from 2019.

• ZEV Resource Hub
• Zero-emission vehicle infrastructure funding
• Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure initiative
• 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
• Canada's Electric Vehicle Availability Standard (regulated targets for zero-emission vehicles)
• Sustainable Jobs Plan

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada