Quebec, June 23 -Natural Resources Canada Reducing pollution from the transportation sector is critical to Canada achieving its climate targets. That’s why the Government of Canada is making it easier for Canadians to purchase, charge and drive electric vehicles (EVs) in Quebec and across the country.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a $4-million investment to Propulsion Québec to help support the installation of up to 680 Level 2 EV chargers across Quebec.
This investment, which will make EV charging more accessible to all, is funded through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP).
Propulsion Québec will select recipients through a transparent process, based on demand. The EV chargers will then be installed in public places, multi-unit residential buildings, on streets, at workplaces or at facilities for servicing light-duty vehicle fleets by March 31, 2024.
Since 2015, Canada has invested a historic $1 billion to make EVs more affordable and chargers more accessible for Canadians. These investments are supporting the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of chargers in local areas where Canadians live, work and play, while federal rebates of up to $5,000 are helping more Canadians make the switch to an EV.
Budget 2022 proposes to invest an additional $1.7 billion to extend the government’s purchase incentive program until March 2025 and to expand the types of vehicle models eligible under the program, which would include more vans, trucks and SUVs. In support of the government’s objective of adding 50,000 zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) chargers to Canada’s network, Budget 2022 also provides an additional $400 million to Natural Resources Canada to continue deploying zero-emission-vehicle infrastructure by extending the ZEVIP to March 2027, complemented by $500 million that Canada’s Infrastructure Bank will invest in large-scale ZEV charging and refuelling infrastructure that is revenue-generating and in the public interest.
These investments are yet another step in reaching Canada’s target of ensuring all new passenger vehicles sold in Canada are zero-emission by 2035. And just like investments in everything from clean technology to nature protection, today’s announcement is part of achieving Canada’s ambitious climate change goals to build a cleaner, healthier and affordable future for all Canadians.
Quotes
“We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more accessible where Canadians live, work and play. Investing in more EV chargers, like the ones announced today in Quebec, will put more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals.”
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Natural Resources
“Innovation is at the heart of our government’s priorities, and we are proud to support the green transition in businesses and organizations. By focusing on innovative projects such as the electrification of our transportation, and by promoting the adoption of cleaner energy processes, we are investing in the well-being of future generations. And by helping small and medium-sized businesses become more innovative and competitive, and by supporting innovation in the development of greener technologies and products, we are setting the stage for the jobs of tomorrow.”
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“The Charge+ program supports the growth and development of the electric and intelligent transportation ecosystem, as it responds to the need to increase the number of charging infrastructures in order to achieve our economic and environmental objectives. This program strongly reinforces Propulsion Québec’s position as a key player in accelerating the electrification of transportation, supporting businesses in the shift to electric vehicles and promoting the ecological transition of the Quebec economy. The implementation of Charge+ is a concrete action that responds to one of the eight main themes of the Ambition TEI 2030 project: Getting ahead of infrastructure deployment. Together, let’s make Quebec a world leader in electric and intelligent transportation.”
Sarah Houde
Chief Executive Officer, Propulsion Québec: Cluster for Electric and Smart Transportation
Quick facts
Transportation accounts for 25 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
Investments in charging infrastructure made so far will result in more than 25,000 new chargers, coast to coast.
To date, over 136,000 Canadians and Canadian businesses have taken advantage of the federal incentive to purchase a zero-emission vehicle.
