Member of Parliament Han Dong, on behalf of Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan announced a $2.7-million investment January 15 to build 54 electric vehicle fast chargers at Canadian Tire locations across central and western Canada.
The investment, made through Natural Resources Canada’s Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative (EVAFIDI), builds on the nearly $1.3 million announced in 2016 for AddÉnergie to build 28 fast chargers at Canadian Tire locations, making the Canadian Tire EV network one of Canada’s largest, with 104 stations nationally.
The Government of British Columbia is also contributing $275,000 toward the fast chargers through its Clean Energy Vehicle Public Fast Charging Program.
The funding is part of the Government of Canada’s $182.5-million investment to develop a coast-to-coast fast charging network for EVs; to establish natural gas stations along key roads and highways and hydrogen stations in metropolitan centres; and to support the development of new technologies. It will also enable the development of bi-national codes and standards with the U.S. to ensure the alignment of EV and alternative fuel infrastructure, making it easier for drivers to travel in North America using cleaner-fueled vehicles.
An October report from Clean Energy Canada anticipates that nearly half the vehicles sold in Canada in 2030 will be electric.