September 13, 2024 West Vancouver, British Columbia Natural Resources Canada
Making the switch to an electric vehicle (EV) is a win-win for families looking to save money while reducing pollution. Due to cheaper refuelling and lower maintenance costs, most EVs cost less than their gas engine counterparts over their lifetime. Canadians are also benefiting from federal investments across the EV supply chain, which are positioning Canada as a leader in the growing global EV market and creating good manufacturing jobs across the country.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, alongside Member of Parliament Patrick Weiler, announced federal investments of $14.9 million for 20 projects that will install more than 3,000 EV chargers across Canada, while raising awareness of the benefits of EVs and advancing training and code upgrades to ensure more communities have access to current information and opportunities to seize the potential of EVs.
The projects announced today include a federal investment of $1.5 million for Plug 'N Drive to raise awareness and help address challenges related to awareness, knowledge, confidence and adoption of ZEVs and lower-carbon trucks. The funding, which will support outreach and education activities, was provided through Natural Resources Canada's Zero-Emissions Vehicles Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI).
Today's announcement also includes an investment of more than $3.1 million through the Green Infrastructure Stream of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Through the CleanBC Communities Fund, federal and provincial funding support community infrastructure projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Funding will go toward two projects in British Columbia that will provide more options for electric vehicle charging.
The investments announced today support requirements included in the recent Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, which aims to further accelerate the Canadian adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), ultimately contributing to the national targets of all new light-duty vehicles sales being ZEV by 2035.
Since 2020, automotive and battery manufacturers have announced investments in Canada of more than $34 billion to transition to electric vehicle production and to establish a battery supply chain. The government has also worked to secure critical battery manufacturing investments through special contribution agreements and the Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. Together, these investments are creating thousands of sustainable jobs across the EV value chain.
From battery manufacturing to public charging stations, the Government of Canada is supporting Canadians in making affordable and green transportation choices.
