TORONTO: Ontario is expanding its electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers network along the province’s busiest highways with the launch of five new fast-charging stations at Ingleside, Tilbury North, Tilbury South, Woodstock and Innisfil ONroute stations.
This launch brings the total number of ONroute stations with EV fast chargers to eleven. Todd Smith, Minister of Energy, said: “With EV fast chargers now available at eleven ONroute stations along our province’s business highways it’s even more convenient than ever for workers and families to grab a coffee or a meal while charging their car.”
The new fast-charging stations are part of a historic EV charger roll-out announced in December by the Ontario government, along with Ivy Charging Network, ONroute and Canadian Tire that will see 69 fast chargers built at all 23 ONroute locations.
The deployment of rapid charging infrastructure will see ONroute locations along highways 401 and 400 equipped with at least two EV fast chargers at each site, with busier sites equipped with more. The EV fast chargers will be available to all drivers on a pay-per-use basis and will serve all vehicle types.
“With a total of eleven ONroute stations now equipped with EV fast chargers, our government continues to make life easier for those who drive electric vehicles,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.
“ These chargers will further encourage the electrification of the transportation sector in Ontario by making EV charging more accessible, and as the EV population grows more chargers may be added at each site. The electrification of the province’s vehicles will continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by shifting away from gas-powered vehicles and utilizing Ontario’s clean electricity supply, one that is more than 90% emissions-free. In February, Minister Smith asked the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to provide him with options to implement a new ultralow overnight Time-of-Use electricity price plan that could support electric vehicle adoption by reducing overnight EV charging costs when province-wide electricity demand is lower.
This initiative builds on the government’s Driving Prosperity: The Future of Ontario’s Automotive Sector plan to create a domestic EV battery ecosystem in the province and position Ontario as a North American automotive innovation hub, by working to support the continued pivot to electric, low-carbon, connected and autonomous vehicles.
Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trad, said: . “By delivering on our commitment to bring EV fast chargers to Ontario’s busiest highways, we’re supporting consumers and our auto, manufacturing, and critical mineral sectors as we look to achieve our goal of building at least 400,000 electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030.”
• As of February 28, 2022, there are 75,274 EVs registered in Ontario. By 2030, one out of every three automobiles sold will be electric.
• ONroute operates 23 service centres along highways 401 and 400. With eleven ONroute locations now equipped with EV fast chargers, additional sites will open later this spring, and two additional sites (King City and Barrie) will open later in 2022. Chargers at the last three sites (Maple, Ingersoll and Newcastle) are currently anticipated to open between 2023-2025 as part of planned renovations at the sites.
• The Ivy Charging Network, a joint venture between Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation (OPG), will be responsible for the installation, ownership, and operation of the fast chargers.
• Ivy’s fast chargers charge 30 cents a minute to charge an electric vehicle. With a fast charger most drivers can get a 150 km range of charge for as little as $7, depending on their vehicle. Andrea Khanjin MPP for Barrie Innisfil, said: “Local commuters will have more choice and convenience when it comes to driving an electric vehicle. As we open the first electric vehicle fast chargers along Highway 400, it’s also good news for our tourism sector in Simcoe County. This great opportunity also means more job creation in our Province as we are mining the resources right here in Ontario for electric vehicle batteries.”