Feds invest in charging infrastructure

Ottawa has announced a $7 million investment in electric vehicle infrastructure.

MP Catherine McKenna, minister of environment and climate change

Quebec company AddEnergie is getting the funds to develop advanced electric vehicle charging stations across Canada. The announcement was made by Catherine McKenna, minister of environment and climate change, and François-Philippe Champagne, minister of international trade, on behalf of Jim Carr, minister of natural resources. They appeared in Shawinigan, Que. at AddEnergie’s plant.

The company, the government said, will install 1,000 new charging stations across the country by 2019. It will also develop next generation fast-charging stations to help get more charging stations in homes, businesses, and cities, the government added.

McKenna also touted the environmental impacts of such an investment, saying “smart and strategic investments in transportation” will “reduce carbon pollution.” As electric cars become more affordable options for consumers, she added, “our government can make these cars an easier choice for Canadians.”

Louis Tremblay, president and chief executive officer of AddEnergie, said, “This support will help us strengthen our position as a Canadian leader in charging solutions for electric vehicles and allow us to work with other innovative companies to shape the future of transportation.”

In the announcement about the investment, the government reported that almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in the country come from the transportation sector.

“Supporting clean-technology investments that significantly reduce GHG emissions, will grow our economy, create good jobs, and help Canadian businesses be at the forefront of the clean-energy revolution,” said Carr.

And more investment in charging station infrastructure can be expected. The government said it will work with provinces and territories so that more charging stations are available to Canadians so they can travel longer distances in zero-emission cars.