Ontario plans to build 500 electric vehicle charging stations with $20M investment
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Program will fund 27 partners, work to launch new stations by 2017
An electric vehicle charging station in Markham, Ont. The province plans to add nearly 500 charging stations across Ontario.
TORONTO—The government of Ontario is looking to make it easier for electric vehicle drivers to charge up.
The province has announced a plan to invest $20 million to build nearly 500 new charging stations at more than 250 locations throughout Ontario by 2017.
“This is great news for drivers in Ontario,” Steven Del Duca, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, said. “By investing in charging infrastructure that is fast, reliable and affordable we will encourage more Ontarians to purchase electric vehicles, reducing greenhouse gas pollution and keeping our air clean.”
With funds made available through the Green Investment Fund, the province will work with 27 public and private sector partners on the project, installing 280 Level 2 stations, as well as 213 Level 3 fast-charging stations.
Designed to boost EV sales and address “range anxiety”—experienced by electric drivers uncertain about where they can land their next charge up—the Ontario government said the project will create a network of EV stations along highways, and at workplaces, condominiums and public places across the province.
The announcement follows Ontario’s amping up of provincial EV subsidies for car buyers annouced earlier this year, and makes good on Premier Kathleen Wynne’s pledge to invest the $20 million—a promise she made at last year’s climate conference in Paris.
