The Ontario government is providing $91 million to help make electric vehicle (EV) chargers more accessible to the public across the province. The investment will support the adoption of electric vehicles and further strengthen Ontario’s auto industry.

“This investment is the next step that will help fill gaps in public charging infrastructure and strengthen Ontario’s position as a leader in the production of battery electric vehicles,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transport. “Providing all Ontarians with convenient public access to fast, reliable charging will help us achieve our goal of making Ontario-made electric vehicles the first choice for passenger and commercial drivers.”

Building on the growing success of Ontario’s Ivy Charging Network, which is the largest public highway fast-charging network in the province, this funding will add more electric vehicle charging stations across Ontario, including highway rest areas, carpool parking lots, Ontario Parks and community hubs. such as hockey arenas and municipal parks.

In February 2022, 75,274 electric vehicles were registered in Ontario. By 2030, one in three cars sold will be electric and it is expected that there will be more than one million electric vehicles on Ontario’s roads.

The province will also introduce the Rural Connectivity Fund to provide rural municipalities with the opportunity to apply for provincial funding to support the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in their communities. Once launched, the new program would put communities in the driver’s seat and ensure that EV chargers are placed at local points of interest to encourage adoption outside of urban centers. Program details, including eligibility, potential charging station locations and how rural communities can apply, will be announced later this year.

The Ontario government, in conjunction with Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation’s Ivy Charging Network, is installing 69 fast-charging stations at 23 ONroute locations. As of March 2022, there were over 1,800 public charging stations with more than 5,000 charging ports in Ontario, including 32 Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations in carpool lots that offer free charging.

“Our government is working to build critical electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the province so workers and families can travel with confidence,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “Today’s investment in new public charging stations, alongside our work to reduce electricity prices and provide an ultra-low overnight electricity price plan, will support the uptake of EVs and boost our world-class automotive sector as we build the cars of the future here in Ontario. .”

In addition, the government will support the development of business cases for the conversion to electricity and low-emissions of the Ontario Public Service fleet and GO Transit network. In renewing public vehicle fleets, the government will create a made-in-Ontario strategy for purchasing low-carbon electric vehicles and equipment.