Canada invests in charging infrastructure once more
The Canadian Government has announced nearly $30 million in fresh federal investment to deliver over 1,500 EV chargers across Quebec. The province’s public utility, Hydro-Québec, will deploy most charging stations.
Specifically, the new funding provides federal support for 1,578 chargers across 18 projects, including $21.7 million to Hydro-Québec to install 1,194 chargers, including 385 fast chargers. It was provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
The investment is part of Canada’s coast-to-coast-to-coast network of charging stations installed along highways, public places, multi-use residential buildings, workplaces, and vehicle fleets. To date, the federal Government has committed to supporting the installation of over 45,000 chargers across the country, meaning it is more than halfway toward the target of 84,500 EV chargers by 2027.
The funding released in Quebec today also reflects the variety of funded projects. Hydro Québec, which is already running the Electric Circuit, one of the largest networks in the province, reportedly works to roll out 4,500 charging stations by 2028 in partnership with municipalities. Other beneficiaries include the Canadian National Railway Company to support 62 fast chargers at train stations across Canada or fleet operator Bell Canada to install 75 chargers at workplaces across Quebec.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said the investment “will clear a path to lower transportation emissions and cleaner air and low-cost and accessible options to more households.”
Today’s announcement also included an update on Canada’s EV incentive scheme. The Government has granted almost 260,000 incentives to buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle, including nearly 137,000 from Quebec. The scheme has been extended to March 2025, and eligible vehicle models now include more vans, trucks and SUVs.
Also in the province, federal funding of $780 mn announced in May will help deploy 1,229 electric buses. The Quebec government stipulates that public transport companies in the area will only purchase e-buses from 2025 onwards and aims to switch all of its cars, SUVs, vans, and minivans to electric drives by 2030, as well as 25% of its trucks.
Nationally, Canada targets net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
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