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 (King City, Barrie and Innisfil) opening before the end of 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.
“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 the goal of building at least 400,000 electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030.”
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.
“With more electric vehicles coming onto our roads each year, it’s vital that drivers have the ability to conveniently charge their vehicles along the provinces’ busiest highways,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.
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% emissions-free electricity supply.
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. The Ivy Charging Network, a joint venture between Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation (OPG), will be responsible for the installation, ownership, and operation of the fast chargers located at the 20 initial ONroute locations. Natural Resources Canada, through its Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative, provided repayable contributions to Ivy Charging Network to help build its network.