Canada Invests in New EV Chargers Across Prince Edward Island

February 25, 2021                                                Charlottetown, PEI                                              Natural Resources Canada

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the Government of Canada remains committed to building a clean energy future to strengthen the economy, create good, middle-class jobs, and support the natural resources sectors.

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $250,000 investment for Maritime Electric to install 50 Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across Prince Edward Island (PEI).

When combined with contributions from Maritime Electric, the Government of PEI and various other partners, a total of over $590,000 will be invested in this initiative to encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by providing Canadians with more options to charge and drive their vehicles where they live, work and play.

Federal funding is provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which is supporting the government’s ambitious target to have all new passenger vehicles sold in Canada be ZEV by 2040.

The government has provided over $600 million to help make EVs more affordable and infrastructure more readily available. This funding includes support for the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of fast chargers, as well as for charging in more localized areas, such as retail stores, apartment buildings, on-street and workplaces. This investment also includes establishing natural gas refuelling stations along key freight corridors and hydrogen stations in metropolitan centres. The infrastructure resulting from these investments will ensure that people can drive and charge their vehicles across Canada. Funding will also support the demonstration of next-generation charging technologies as well as the development of enabling codes and standards. To make these vehicles more affordable, the government is providing incentives of up to $5,000 for Canadian consumers to buy EVs and full tax write-offs for businesses purchasing them.

These investments will be complemented by commitments included in the recent Fall Economic Statement and Canada’s strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, which proposes to further accelerate zero-emission vehicle uptake by providing an additional $150 million for ZEV infrastructure and an additional $287 million in funding for vehicle purchase incentives that will make ZEVs more affordable for Canadians.

The government continues to support green infrastructure projects that will create good jobs, advance Canada’s green future and help us achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.