Canada is continuing to build the infrastructure needed to support the growing shift toward electric vehicles, announcing $10.9 million in funding for 22 projects that will expand charging access and improve public understanding of electric transportation across the country.
Announced in Burnaby, British Columbia, by the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, the investment advances the federal government’s Auto Strategy by making it easier for Canadians to adopt electric vehicles while strengthening the country’s clean transportation network.
Nearly $9 million of the funding will support nine projects through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, resulting in the installation of almost 400 new EV chargers nationwide. An additional $2 million will fund 13 education and awareness initiatives designed to increase public familiarity with electric vehicles and charging technologies, helping Canadians make informed transportation choices.
British Columbia continues to be a leader in vehicle electrification, with more than 8,900 public charging ports now available across the province—an 87 per cent increase since 2023. The latest federal investment builds on that momentum while extending charging access and educational resources to communities across Canada.
The announcement also reinforces the government’s broader strategy of pairing transportation electrification with investments in Canada’s clean electricity system. Supported by the National Electricity Strategy, the expansion of charging infrastructure is intended to reduce emissions, strengthen industrial competitiveness, encourage innovation and create new economic opportunities.
As Canada continues to position itself as a global leader in vehicle electrification and battery supply chains, the federal government says the decisions being made today will help shape both the country’s transportation system and automotive industry for decades to come.
Highlighting the significance of the investment, Minister Dabrusin said, “We’re investing in more electric vehicle chargers across the country, making it even easier for Canadians to get to where they live, work, and play. Together with our Auto Strategy, we’re creating good jobs, strengthening Canada’s economy, and building a strong and climate-competitive future.”
The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, emphasized the broader impact of the projects, saying, “With today’s announcement, we are accelerating the transition to zero-emission transportation across Canada through investments in electric vehicle infrastructure. By supporting the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and increasing access to clean transportation options, we are making it easier for Canadians to choose electric vehicles and help build a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Several industry organizations receiving support also highlighted how the funding will address practical barriers to EV adoption. Travis Allan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council, said, “Driving electric can save a Canadian household between $23,000 and $32,000 over 10 years, but for the nearly one in three Canadian families who live in condominiums, stratas, and apartments, those savings can be out of reach. Every day, condo boards, property managers, and landlords ask our members the same question: What do we do when a resident wants to install electric vehicle charging? This guide, funded by the Government of Canada, will give them clear, practical answers, and help ensure the benefits of low-cost electric driving reach every Canadian, not just those with a driveway. We thank Minister Dabrusin and the Government of Canada for this important investment.”
Daniel Breton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Electric Mobility Canada, added, “Electric Mobility Canada is grateful to the Government of Canada for supporting two practical, high-impact initiatives that will help accelerate transportation electrification across the country. The first will establish light-duty vehicle fleet charging resource hubs in the Prairies and the Maritimes, giving municipalities, public agencies, institutions, utilities, and commercial fleets the guidance, tools, and peer support they need to plan and implement charging infrastructure. The second will advance vehicle-grid integration in Canada by bringing utilities, regulators, automakers, and policymakers together around managed charging and bidirectional charging solutions that can improve affordability, reliability, and sustainability across the electricity system. Together with our partners, Electric Mobility Canada is proud to help build the knowledge, collaboration, and implementation capacity needed to make electric mobility work for communities across Canada.”
