Moving toward net zero-emissions goal by 2035, the federal government’s Natural Resources Canada (NRC) has announced nearly $3 million to subsidize installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers across Canada. The investment is funded through NRC’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

The new grants will be distributed in three Canadian provinces – British Columbia, Newfoundland, and Ontario – and at multi-unit residential buildings across the country.

“Investing in more EV chargers will put more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources.

In British Columbia, a $1 million investment to the Community Energy Association will help support installation of up to 90 EV chargers in the province’s Kootenay region. The chargers will be installed by October 2023 in public places, multi-unit residential buildings, on streets, at workplaces, or at facilities servicing light-duty vehicle fleets.

An $805,000 grant to electricity provider Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to support installation of up to 113 EV chargers across the Newfoundland province.

Through Hydro’s Commercial EV Charger Rebate Program, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities can receive a refund of up to 50% for EV charger installation costs. The chargers will be positioned by March 2024 in public places, on streets, at workplaces or at facilities servicing light-duty vehicle fleets.

The NRC will grant $250,000 to electricity utility and distributor Alectra Energy Services to install 50 Level 2 EV chargers by this summer across three Ontario cities – St. Catharines, Barrie, and Markham. Alectra also contributed more than $710,000, bringing the total project cost to more than $960,000.

NRC will invest $899,000 in real estate management company Broadstreet Properties Ltd. to install 188 Level 2 EV chargers at multi-unit residential buildings across Canada. A $993,000-plus Broadstreet contribution brings the total project’s cost to $1.9 million.

Since 2015, Canada has invested $1 billion to make EVs more affordable and chargers more accessible for Canadians. The funding supports a coast-to-coast network of chargers in local areas, while federal rebates of up to $5,000 are helping more Canadians make the switch to an EV.