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
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
Oilers dominate Canucks, win to force deciding Game 7
The Edmonton Oilers avoided elimination from the NHL playoffs Saturday night, beating the visiting Vancouver Canucks 5-1 in Game 6 of their second-round series.
The eight most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa this spring
Ottawa's ultra luxury housing market is blooming like the tulips this spring, with a significant increase in the number of homes sold worth more than $2 million.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.