Ontario has installed EV fast chargers at all 20 renovated ONroute stations along the 400 and 401 highways, including the one on Highway 401 in Clarington.
All stations are now equipped with at least two EV chargers at each site, with busier areas equipped with more. The chargers are available to all drivers on a pay-per-use basis and serve all vehicle types, said a statement.
As the EV population grows, more chargers may be added at each site. These critical infrastructure builds will further encourage the electrification of the transportation sector in Ontario by making EV charging more accessible and utilize the province’s world-class clean electricity supply by shifting away from gas-powered vehicles, it added.
The new fast charging stations are part of an EV charger roll-out announced in December 2021 by the Ontario government, Ivy Charging Network, ONroute, Canadian Tire and Natural Resources Canada.
“Our government is putting shovels in the ground to build critical infrastructure that will support Ontario’s growing EV manufacturing industry” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “With EV fast chargers now available at all 20 renovated ONroute stations along our province’s busiest highways it will be more convenient than ever this summer for workers and families to grab a coffee or a meal while charging their electric vehicle.”
“Over the last two and a half years, Ontario has attracted over $25 billion in auto and EV battery related investments that will create more good-paying jobs and opportunities across the province,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Ontario is at the heart of the EV revolution, and the new EV fast chargers will help people and businesses more conveniently access charging on the go as we continue to build Ontario’s end-to-end EV supply chain.”
Quick Facts
- As of May 2023, there are more than 118,000 EVs registered in Ontario, including both battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). By 2030, there are expected to be more than one million EVs on the road in Ontario.
- Three additional rest stops in Maple, Ingersoll and Newcastle will undergo planned renovations between 2023-2025 and will have EV fast chargers installed at that time.
- The Ivy Charging Network, a joint venture between Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation (OPG), is responsible for the installation, ownership, and operation of the fast chargers.
- Ivy’s fast chargers charge 40 cents a minute to charge an electric vehicle. With a fast charger most drivers can get a 150 km range of charge for as little as $7, depending on their vehicle.