Ottawa's Bold Move: $84 Million for 8,000+ EV Chargers
The federal government is making a significant investment in Canada's electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, aiming to address range anxiety and accelerate the shift to EVs. On February 10, 2026, the ministers of environment, energy, and transport announced a substantial $84.4 million funding package for over 8,000 new EV chargers nationwide.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to achieve an ambitious goal: by 2035, three-quarters of all new car sales in Canada will be electric battery-powered. The government's commitment to this goal is evident, despite the repeal of the controversial EV sales mandate by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The funding breakdown includes $5.7 million for the Green Freight program, supporting trucks in reducing their carbon footprint through low-carbon fuel purchases. Additionally, $7.2 million will be allocated to 30 education and awareness projects focused on EVs.
The government's auto strategy, unveiled on February 7, includes a $1.5 billion commitment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. It emphasizes the development of a National Charging Infrastructure Strategy, skills training, attracting private equity, and engaging private sector leaders for significant national projects.
However, the strategy's success hinges on a substantial investment in charging infrastructure. According to Natural Resources Canada, an estimated 447,000 public charging ports and 11.9 million home charging ports will be needed by 2035 to support the projected 100% EV sales. While progress has been made, with over 33,000 EV chargers already installed, the current infrastructure falls short of the required 75% coverage.
Travis Allan, president of the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council, highlights the potential for large-scale investment in this sector, emphasizing the need for further development to meet the 2035 target.
The announcement on February 10 did not specify whether the charging station network improvements would be referred to the Major Projects Office, established under the Building Canada Act. This decision could significantly impact the speed of EV charger deployment in Canada.
