Ontario is delivering on its commitment to bring electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers to the province’s busiest highways with the launch of the 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.
“Ontario is putting shovels in the ground to build critical infrastructure that will boost EV ownership, support Ontario’s growing EV manufacturing industry and reduce emissions,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “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 a total of 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. “With more people switching to electric vehicles each year, our government continues to rapidly build the infrastructure required to support a greener, more accessible Ontario for drivers.”
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.
This is one more way that Ontario is supporting EV ownership and reducing emissions. In February, Minister Smith asked the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to provide him with options to implement a new ultra-low overnight Time-of-Use electricity price plan that could help Ontario families save money and 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.
"Our government's Driving Prosperity auto plan positions Ontario as a North American leader in developing and building the car of the future through emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing process," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "By delivering on our commitment to bring EV fast chargers to the 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."
"Today’s announcement means that 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."
- Andrea Khanjin
MPP for Barrie Innisfil
"Our partnership with ONroute, Canadian Tire and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation will end range anxiety for EV drivers travelling on the province’s major highways. These new fast-charging locations will give drivers the confidence they need on their road trips, to get them where they need to go this summer."
- Michael Kitchen
General Manager, Ivy Charging Network
"ONroute is proud to now offer EV charging stations to our customers, in partnership with Ivy and Canadian Tire. We are focused on supporting the growth of electric cars and offering this convenience for our customers as we strive to be the recharge destination for all travelers across Ontario."
- Melanie Teed-Murch
Chief Executive Officer of ONroute
"Together with our partners, CTC is proud to announce the opening of EV fast-charging stations at five additional ONroute locations along the 400-series highways. Our network of EV charging stations is just one of the ways CTC is supporting EV drivers of today and tomorrow to make life in Canada better. We will have approximately 140 sites across the country by the end of the year, making CTC one of the largest retail networks of EV fast charging stations in Canada."
- Micheline Davies
SVP, Automotive, Canadian Tire Corporation