Canada Commits Over $10 Million to EV Infrastructure Projects
The Government of Canada is funding two projects it says will help pave the way for continued electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The investments, which total more than $10 million, will go towards bettering access to charging stations and improving electric motor performance.
The majority of the funding, $9 million of it, will go to the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP). The money is expected to go towards the installation of more than 1,200 chargers nationwide.
More specifically, ZEVIP aims to install chargers at workplaces, in multi-unit residential buildings, in public places, and within reach of on-street parking spots. Ottawa is working with Green Economy Canada and the New Brunswick Power Corporation. The new chargers will primarily be located in New Brunswick, Alberta, and Ontario.
“Green Economy Canada received overwhelming demand for the funding we were allocated for delivery through [ZEVIP],” said Luke Robertson, a senior business sustainability manager with Green Economy Canada in a release.
“Canadian businesses are clearly looking to be a part of the transition to electric vehicles, and we expect to see continued growth in adoption rates in tandem with decarbonization of our electrical grids,” Robertson added.
Since 2016, the Canadian government has allocated more than $1.2 billion towards the deployment of EV charging stations across Canada.
The rest of the funding announced today will go to the University of New Brunswick. Specifically, $1.4 million from the Energy Innovation Program will go toward supporting the university’s work in developing new magnetic materials that could someday help improve the performance of electric motors.
“I am proud to see University of New Brunswick researchers leading work on EV technology and contributing their expertise to this complex, challenging topic,” said Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, the president and vice chancellor of the University of New Brunswick. This support will help support the institution’s “work on paving the way for a more sustainable, made-in-Canada transportation future.”
