Ontario launches five new ONroute electric vehicle charging stations

Palmer Lockridge, Office of the Minister of Energy

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 percent emissions-free. This is one more way Ontario supports EV ownership and reduces 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 to 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.”