Newcastle ONroute among last to get EV charge station

Ontario is bringing electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers directly to the province’s busiest highways with the deployment of Ivy Charging Network chargers at all ONroute locations. Chargers at 17 ONroute locations will be open in time for next summer, with another three ONroute locations opening before the end of 2022.

However, chargers at the last three sites – Maple, Ingersoll and Newcastle – are currently anticipated to open between 2023-2025 as part of planned renovations at the sites, according to a provincial statement.

The deployment of charging infrastructure will see ONroute locations along highways 401 and 400 equipped with at least two EV chargers at each site, with busier sites equipped with more. The EV chargers will be available to all drivers on a pay per use basis and will serve all vehicle types.

As of October 2021, there are 66,757 EVs registered in Ontario. By 2030, one out of every three automobiles sold will be electric.

ONroute operates 23 service centres along highways 401 and 400. Ivy’s fast chargers will be at 17 ONroute locations along Highway 401 and 400 by next summer. Three additional sites (King City, Barrie and Innisfil) will open later in 2022. Chargers at the last three sites (Maple, Ingersoll and Newcastle) are currently anticipated to open between 2023-2025 as part of planned renovations at the sites.

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 94 per cent emissions-free electricity supply.

“Ontario is putting shovels in the ground to build critical infrastructure including highways,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “Our agreement with Ivy, ONroute and Canadian Tire to construct EV chargers at all of the province’s 23 ONroute stations is an important step forward, allowing EV owners to travel our great province with more freedom and confidence. This deployment will reduce barriers to EV ownership, supporting Ontario’s growing EV manufacturing market and critical minerals sector, and help achieve Ontario’s goal of building at least 400,000 electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030.”

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.

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