Ontario exploring cut to electricity rates for EV charger providers
Ontario is exploring a new reduced electricity rate for providers of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in hopes of encouraging further growth in the sector.
The government said the new rate, if approved, will become available by Jan. 1, 2026, with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) starting consultations this month.
The cut will be offered in areas where adoption of EV’s is on the slower side, or “where demand is only beginning to emerge,” said the province.
This would likely apply to chargers with 15 per cent utilization, although officials say this is subject to consultation with stakeholders.
“This is another step we are taking to give drivers in every part of our province, including rural Ontario, the confidence to transition to electric vehicles, and take advantage of our growing, world-class clean grid,” Energy Minister Todd Smith said in a statement issued Wednesday.
According to officials, providers incur costs when vehicles are not being charged, which means they can be rather expensive to operate in areas without a lot of EV traffic.
The ministry said it hopes that the lower rate will encourage providers to build more charging stations and therefore encourage certain communities to invest in electric vehicles.
Officials also said that they hope there will be a trickle down effect for consumers, although it is unclear if this will be the case.
“This rate aims to fairly allocate costs and better support the efficient integration of EVs in Ontario,” Susanna Zagar, CEO of the OEB, said in a statement. “We look forward to hearing from electricity distributors, EV charging service providers and other stakeholders to inform this work as we strive to solve energy challenges effectively and meet the demands of the energy transition.”
The changes follow news that Ontario will be home to yet another electric vehicle battery plant.
The provincial and federal governments announced last week that Honda will be expanding its assembly facility in Alliston at a $5-billion pricetag. About $2.5 billion will come from Ontario.
While the building of batteries is becoming a booming industry in Ontario — with Volkswagen and Stellantis already establishing plants in the province —supporting EV infrastructure is still needed.
In mid-April, the government said it would not be re-instituting a requirement that would have seen charging stations built in new homes.
“That’s a cost you will bear, not a cost to all Ontarians will bear on their behalf,” Government House Leader Paul Calandra said at the time, noting it’s about personal choice.
The government says they anticipate about a million electric vehicles will be on Ontario’s roads by 2030.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Video appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs beating singer Cassie in hotel hallway in 2016
Security video aired by CNN appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.
Scottie Scheffler isn't the first pro golfer to be arrested during a tournament
Scottie Scheffler's arrest hours before his second-round tee time at the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, will go down as one of the most shocking in professional golf history. It certainly wasn't the first, though.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta border: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Anglers reel in 3.5-metre-long tiger shark off coast of Florida: 'She found my bait'
A group of fishers said it took roughly 20 minutes to reel in this 3.5-metre-long tiger shark off the coast of Florida.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
Canadian convicted of attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer sentenced to 30 years
The man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.