A coast-to-coast EV charging network is a ‘project of national interest’ Canadians want to see - Clean Energy Canada

The Canadian federal government recently announced an $84 million investment to install over 8,000 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers nationwide and pledged a National Charging Infrastructure Strategy, reinforcing its commitment to an EV future. However, Clean Energy Canada argues that Canada should adopt a more ambitious, coordinated approach by designating the creation of a coast-to-coast EV charging network as a “project of national interest.” With projections estimating 16 to 25 million EVs on Canadian roads by 2040, tens of thousands of fast chargers will be necessary to support this growth. A national network would not only facilitate EV adoption by addressing range anxiety but also anchor domestic manufacturing investments, create thousands of local jobs in installation and operation, and strengthen the market for Canadian-produced batteries, components, and critical minerals. The article emphasizes that EV adoption and charging infrastructure expansion are interdependent; neither can succeed without the other. To realize this vision, a strategic combination of public funding and private capital mobilization is essential. The federal