Ottawa announces $10.9 million for nearly 400 EV chargers and education projects
CANADA — The federal government is providing $10.9 million for 22 electric vehicle charging and education projects across Canada, including new infrastructure in British Columbia.
Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin announced the funding July 30 in Burnaby. Almost $9 million will support nine projects expected to install nearly 400 electric vehicle chargers, while approximately $2 million will go to 13 education and awareness initiatives.
The infrastructure funding includes $410,000 for CapEV Group Ltd. to install 82 Level 2 chargers in British Columbia and Ontario. The City of Coquitlam will receive $150,000 for 30 Level 2 chargers.
The largest award is $5 million for Hydro-Québec to install 100 Level 3 fast chargers at new or existing locations. The project is intended to increase charging capacity and reduce waits during busy periods.
Ontario-based projects include $2.08 million for 44 chargers through the Ivy Charging Network and more than $573,000 for QuantumEV Inc. to install 74 chargers. Additional installations are planned in Fort Frances, Sudbury, Staples and Caledon.
British Columbia now has more than 8,900 public charging ports, according to the federal government, an increase of 87 per cent since 2023. Ottawa has invested more than $1.2 billion in electric vehicle chargers and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure since 2016.
The education projects are intended to address questions about charging access, infrastructure planning and electric vehicle ownership.
Natural Indigenous Solutions Abound, a B.C.-based company, will receive $193,432 to provide electric vehicle test drives and charging demonstrations in Indigenous and rural communities across Vancouver Island.
The Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council will receive $200,000 to develop guidance for installing chargers in condominiums, apartments and other multi-unit residential buildings. The Canadian Parking Association will receive the same amount to create resources for parking-lot owners and operators.
The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs will receive $250,000 to develop national guidance for local governments, builders and emergency responders. The project will include information about fire safety, emergency preparedness and charging-station planning.
Electric Mobility Canada will receive a combined $400,000 for two projects. One will develop resources for fleet managers, municipalities and utilities, while the other will examine managed and bidirectional charging, which allow electric vehicles to interact with the power grid.
“We’re investing in more electric vehicle chargers across the country, making it even easier for Canadians to get to where they live, work and play,” Dabrusin said in a statement.
Other education projects will offer test drives, first-responder training, classroom resources and public demonstrations in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Northwest Territories.
The funding is being provided through the federal Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program and Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative.
Grand Forks is not under an evacuation alert or order. No active emergency notice for the city or the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary appears on EmergencyInfoBC’s current wildfire list at the publication cutoff.