Travis Allan, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council, suggests that “driving electric can save a Canadian household between $23,000 and $32,000 over 10 years.”
Canada’s official “Auto Strategy” aims to make it easier for Canadian families and businesses to switch to an electric vehicle.
In this vein, the federal government has announced $11 million for 22 projects nationwide that relate to electric vehicle infrastructure and education, such as the addition of 400 more chargers.
“With our Auto Strategy, we’re creating good jobs, strengthening Canada’s economy, and building a strong and climate-competitive future,” posits Minister of Environment and Nature Julie Dabrusin.
This includes “investing in more electric vehicle chargers across the country, making it even easier for Canadians to get to where they live, work, and play,” according to Dabrusin.
For example, Hydro-Québec received $5M to add 100 Level 3 chargers province-wide, while Ontario will see several different organizations add over 200 new chargers. British Columbia will also gain a few.
“We are accelerating the transition to zero-emission transportation across Canada through investments in electric vehicle infrastructure,” says Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
“By supporting the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and increasing access to clean transportation options, we are making it easier for Canadians to choose electric vehicles and help build a cleaner, more sustainable future,” he remarked.
Beyond chargers, several projects are receiving capital through the Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative, which supports projects aiming to address barriers to mass adoption of electric vehicles.
For example, Electric Mobility Canada attracted $200K to create practical resources to educate fleet managers, municipalities, and utilities on how to plan for and install electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
“Electric Mobility Canada is grateful to the Government of Canada for supporting … practical, high-impact initiatives that will help accelerate transportation electrification across the country,” commented CEO Daniel Breton.
Other funded projects include $250K for the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs to strengthen electric vehicle transition readiness for local governments by developing practical guidance, and $200K for the National Parking Association to develop practical, research-based resources to help parking lot owners and operators plan for and install electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Since 2016, the Government of Canada has invested more than $1.2 billion in funding to support the deployment of electric vehicle chargers and hydrogen refueling stations across the country.
Canada claims one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world, with approximately 80% of its electricity generated from clean sources.