Canada's budget earmarks $635M for 55,000 new EV chargers

Ottawa's proposed budget pours $4 billion CAD into grid improvements, and EV charging grabs a slice of roughly $635 million. Of that, $587 million goes to renewing the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, the federal pot that funds new public charging stations. The plan's headline target: more than 55,000 new EV chargers across the country.

ZEVIP is designed to cover up to 50% of eligible project expenses for most applicants. Projects led by Indigenous developers can pull up to 75% of costs, with caps of up to $2 million per project.

Travis Allan, president and CEO of the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council, told Electric Autonomy the charging industry is 'really encouraged by the multi-year investment in the budget.' He said the council will push for programs that handle the barriers facing people in condos and apartments, public fast charging along major corridors and metro areas, and charging for fleets and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles — which he called a major share of transportation emissions.

The rest of the $4 billion envelope funds electricity infrastructure expansion over 10 years, starting in 2027 and running through 2036. With nearly 60% of Canada's generation already coming from hydro and wind, renewables get their own carveouts: the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program, new data and modeling work to steer grid planning, and $1.6 billion to modernize power systems in northern and remote communities.