Federal gov’t invests in Quebec fast EV chargers

Quebec already has 500 rapid EV chargers and this program is expected to boost that number to 2,500 by 2030

The fast EV chargers funded through this program are scheduled to be deployed at the latest by December 31, 2022. Hydro-Québec photo.

The Government of Canada announced on Wednesday an agreement with Hydro-Québec to install 215 fast EV chargers in Québec.

The federal government will contribute $9,490,000 to the initiative and Hydro-Québec will top that up with $10,706,000, bringing the total investment by both governments to $20,196,000.

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources said “We’ve built electric vehicle charging stations from St. John’s to Victoria, and now we’re building more right here in Quebec.”  He added “Investments like this make it easier and more affordable for Canadians to drive electric.”

Québec currently has 500 rapid-charging stations and France Lampron, Director of Transportation Electrification for Hydro-Québec said “we are moving toward more than 2,500 rapid-charging stations by 2030 so that electric vehicle drivers can travel with peace of mind throughout Quebec.”

The project will be funded through Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative and Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.  The fast EV chargers are scheduled to be deployed at the latest by December 31, 2022.

According to a press release issued by the Trudeau government, close to 65 per cent of these chargers are already in service and can be used by the public.

Along with the charging stations, Minister Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, also announced a $1,264,000 investment to Hydro-Québec to address barriers to EV adoption.

Using test benches, the state-owned public utility will test ultra-fast new generation EV charging stations to assess different manufacturers’ charging technologies in real-world conditions and collect vital information about grid infrastructure. Hydro-Québec and the Government of Quebec also invested in the project, bringing the total funding to $3,097,721.

The federal funding for this project was provided through NRCan’s Green Infrastructure – Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration Program, which aims to accelerate the market entry of next-generation clean energy technologies.

The Government of Canada says its contributions to the initiatives support Quebec’s vision and efforts to remain a leader in transportation electrification and sustainable mobility.

To date, Canada has invested over $1 billion to make EVs more affordable and charging infrastructure more accessible. These investments have led to the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of fast chargers and installing chargers in localized areas. As well, the government provides incentives of up to $5,000 to help Canadians buy EVs and full tax write-offs for businesses purchasing them.

The government says these investments are to support Canada’s new mandatory target of 100-per cent zero-emission light-duty vehicle sales by 2035. For Canada to achieve its climate change targets, the federal government says driving down transportation emissions is critical and a combination of investments and regulations to support Canadians and industry in this transition are also required.

 

 

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