Reducing pollution from the transportation sector is critical to Canada achieving its climate targets. That's why the Government of Canada is making it easier for Canadians to purchase, charge and drive electric vehicles (EVs) in Newfoundland and Labrador and across the country.
On May 5, Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John's East, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a $805,000 investment to Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to help support the installation of up to 113 EV chargers across the province.
This investment, which will make EV charging more accessible to all, is funded through Natural Resources Canada's Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP).
Through Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's Commercial EV Charger Rebate Program, recipients will be selected through a transparent process, based on demand. Businesses, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities can receive a refund of up to 50 percent for costs required to install EV chargers. The EV chargers will then be installed in public places, on streets, at workplaces or at facilities for servicing light-duty vehicle fleets by March 2024.
Since 2015, Canada has invested a historic $1 billion to make EVs more affordable and chargers more accessible for Canadians. These investments are supporting the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of chargers in local areas where Canadians live, work and play, while federal rebates of up to $5,000 are helping more Canadians make the switch to an EV.
Budget 2022 proposes to invest an additional $1.7 billion to extend the government's purchase incentive program until March 2025 and to expand the types of vehicle models eligible under the program, which would include more vans, trucks and SUVs. In support of the government's objective of adding 50,000 ZEV chargers to Canada's network, Budget 2022 also provides an additional $400 million to Natural Resources Canada to continue deploying zero-emission vehicle infrastructure by extending the ZEVIP to March 2027, complemented by $500 million that Canada's Infrastructure Bank will invest in large-scale ZEV charging and refuelling infrastructure that is revenue generating and in the public interest.
These investments are yet another step in reaching Canada's target of ensuring all new passenger vehicles sold in Canada are zero-emission by 2035. And just like investments in everything from clean technology to nature protection, this announcement is part of achieving Canada's ambitious climate change goals to build a cleaner, healthier and affordable future for all Canadians.
Quotes
"We're making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more accessible where Canadians live, work and play. Investing in more EV chargers, like the ones announced today in Newfoundland and Labrador, will put more Canadians in the driver's seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources
"This investment empowers Newfoundland and Labrador residents and businesses to lead the transition to electric vehicles, helping our community take a giant step toward a future that is clean, green and prosperous."
Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John's East
"At Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, we're proud to be working with government to advance initiatives like this one, which are making electric vehicle ownership a reality in our province. The new rebate program makes it more affordable for businesses, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities to get ready for our province's EV future, all while contributing to a more sustainable future for Newfoundland and Labrador."
Jennifer Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
Quick facts
- Transportation accounts for 25 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
- Investments in charging infrastructure made so far will result in more than 25,000 new chargers, coast to coast.
- To date, over 136,000 Canadians and Canadian businesses have taken advantage of the federal incentive to purchase a zero-emission vehicle.
Associated links
- Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program
- Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative
- Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
- Travelling with an electric vehicle
- Electric Charging and Alternative Fuelling Stations Locator
- Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration Program
- Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
- Green Infrastructure programs
- Zero-emission vehicles: Incentives
- Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's Commercial EV Charger Rebate Program