Ontario Boosting Electric Vehicle Charging Availability

Ontario Boosting Electric Vehicle Charging Availability

Partnership building Electric Vehicle chargers at all ONroute locations

December 01, 2021

Energy

Transportation


KING CITY – Ontario is bringing electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers directly to the province’s busiest highways with the deployment of Ivy Charging Network chargers at all ONroute locations. Chargers at 17 ONroute locations will be open in time for next summer, with another three ONroute locations opening before the end of 2022.

“Ontario is putting shovels in the ground to build critical infrastructure including highways,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “Our agreement with Ivy, ONroute and Canadian Tire to construct EV chargers at all of the province’s 23 ONroute stations is an important step forward, allowing EV owners to travel our great province with more freedom and confidence. This deployment will reduce barriers to EV ownership, supporting Ontario’s growing EV manufacturing market and critical minerals sector, and help achieve Ontario’s goal of building at least 400,000 electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030.”

The deployment of charging infrastructure will see ONroute locations along highways 401 and 400 equipped with at least two EV chargers at each site, with busier sites equipped with more. The EV chargers will be available to all drivers on a pay per use basis and will serve all vehicle types.

“With more electric vehicles coming onto our roads each year, it’s vital that drivers have the ability to conveniently charge their vehicles along the province’s busiest highways,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “In addition to building new highways that will alleviate congestion in Ontario, the installation of Ivy Charging Networks at all ONroute locations is a big step forward to support EV owners.”

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 94 per cent emissions-free electricity supply.

“I welcome the news on a further expansion of electric vehicle charging across the province. This joint venture signals Ontario’s continued efforts to drive down emissions in the province, while making electric vehicles more accessible to Ontarians,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Increased charging across Ontario ONroute locations means more opportunities for clean, green transportation in the future.”

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.

“The future of the automotive sector is shifting to electric vehicle production, and this critical announcement in partnership with Ivy, ONroute and Canadian Tire means that Ontario will have the infrastructure in place to support the shift to more EVs on our roads,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through the second phase of our Driving Prosperity plan, our government is preparing Ontario to be a world-leader in the transition to EVs by closing deals for new automaker mandates for hybrid and battery EVs, attracting a new battery assembly plant to the province and increasing exports of Ontario-made auto parts and innovations around the globe.”


Quick Facts

  • As of October 2021, there are 66,757 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. Ivy’s fast chargers will be at 17 ONroute locations along Highway 401 and 400 by next summer. Three additional sites (King City, Barrie and Innisfil) 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 located at the 20 initial ONroute locations.
  • Natural Resources Canada, through its Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative, provided repayable contributions to Ivy Charging Network to help build its network.

Quotes

“Local families deserve clean air and a healthy environment, which is why our government is committed to expanding electric charging stations in King-Vaughan and across Ontario. Installing public fast chargers in King, along with parking and station improvements at Maple, Rutherford and King GO Stations is another practical step forward as we reduce air pollution and congestion for local families, seniors, and students.”

– Stephen Lecce
MPP for King-Vaughan

“ONroute is proud to take this step towards sustainability, as we partner with Ivy and Canadian Tire to bring charging stations to our plazas. With a customer-obsessed focus, we want ONroute to be the recharge destination along every journey. That is why we are focused on supporting the growth of electric cars, and bringing new services to our customers.”

– Melanie Teed-Murch
Chief Executive Officer of ONroute

“Leveraging Ontario’s clean electricity system to help decarbonize high-emitting sectors like transportation is key to meeting our climate change goals. That’s why we’ve partnered with Hydro One to create the Ivy Charging Network. The work Ivy is doing to install critical charging infrastructure in convenient and accessible locations like ONroute drives real change by providing drivers with the confidence they need to make the switch to an electric vehicle.”

– Ken Hartwick
President and CEO of OPG

“Through our joint-venture in Ivy Charging Network, we are continuing to unlock endless travel possibilities for EV drivers by supporting their charging needs and connecting them to the people and places that matter most. As Ontario’s largest transmission and distribution company, we are uniquely positioned to enable electrification in Ontario and support sustainable economic growth for years to come. That’s why Hydro One is investing in a smarter, sustainable and reliable electricity system to energize life for families, business and communities now and in the future.”

– Mark Poweska
President and CEO of Hydro One

“Together with our partners, CTC operates one of the largest retail networks of EV fast charging stations in Canada, and by the end of 2022, will see a total of 140 sites enabled across the country. We are excited to make life in Canada better for our EV customers travelling along the 400-series highway, adding to our commitment to provide convenient locations to serve the growing number of EVs in Canada.”

– Micheline Davies
SVP, Automotive, Canadian Tire Corporation

“We’re making it easier for people in Ontario and across Canada to drive electric. This is a critical part of lowering emissions in the transportation sector and achieving our climate targets.”

– Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Natural Resources


Additional Resources

Driving Prosperity: The Future of Ontario’s Automotive Sector

Driving Prosperity positions Ontario as a North American leader in developing and building the car of the future through emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing processes.

Ontario’s Environment Plan

Learn about Ontario’s plan to address climate change and protect our air, land and water.


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