Quebec and Ontario Invest in EV Charging Infrastructure

December 10, 2015 – Canada’s two largest provinces are not only getting greener through a joint carbon cap-and-trade system with California, but like the American state they are buying into electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.  In California drivers fight over EV charging stations. They have smartphone apps that identify the nearest locations and you can even reference them using a Google Map.

Other states are starting to build EV infrastructure with companies like Tesla ramping up a North American-wide network for its Model-S sedans. But Tesla technology is proprietary. What needs to happen is a build out of generic super charging stations drawing from clean renewable energy sources. And that seems to be the idea behind the two latest Canadian initiatives, one in Quebec and one in Ontario. Mind you they are modest when compared to what California has already achieved.

Quebec’s EV Initiative

In October the Quebec government announced its plans to expand the use of EVs in the province. Montreal will be the site for 106 charging stations to be installed between now and next spring. That’s in addition to the 80 already in place. Plans are to have 1,000 in the city by 2020. The mix will include 240 volt charges each with two plugs and the recharge fee will be $1.00 CDN per hour. The city will also have 400 volt fast charging stations and recharge rates are $10.00 per hour although a 10 minute charge will give an EV a 50 kilometer (31 mile) range. The province expects to have 100,000 EVs  and hybrids on the road within five years and is spending $420 million to get Quebecois to switch from diesel and gas-engine vehicles.

What makes EVs an attractive Quebec option. The recharge power will be coming from 100% renewable sources because Quebec produces a surplus of hydroelectricity.

Ontario Modestly Kick Starts EV Infrastructure

Joining Quebec, Ontario yesterday announced it is spending $20 million to build a network of public charging stations for EVs. Currently there are 5,400 registered EVs in the province and only 5 fast-charging stations, all in Toronto. The Ontario announcement didn’t specify the number of chargers to be deployed with this investment. The government announced it wants to partner with the private sector in building the network and the money is to kick start the process. The type of technology Ontario has in mind costs $40,000 a unit and can recharge an EV up to 90% in less than 30 minutes. Private companies can apply to the fund on a first-come, first-served basis.

Like Quebec, Ontario’s recharging stations will come from clean sources although the mix is different including nuclear, hydroelectric, wind and solar power.