On February 5, Canada announced its new Automotive Strategy: a suite of measures to protect and secure the auto industry while building a globally competitive automotive sector focused on next-generation vehicle manufacturing.
As part of this strategy, the Government of Canada is helping Canadians choose electric, with a new five-year Electric Vehicle Affordability Program and enhanced charging infrastructure through investments through the Canada Infrastructure Bank's $1.5-billion Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative, so it is easier to purchase and drive an EV.
Canada has already reached an important milestone, installing more than 30,000 electric vehicle chargers across the country through Natural Resources Canada's Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. The Automotive Strategy builds on progress to date by announcing the development of a National Charging Infrastructure Strategy, which will promote EV adoption, while attracting private sector investment, and creating new, well-paying jobs in the EV supply chain.
Following last week's launch of Canada's Automotive Strategy, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons; and the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, today announced more than $97 million for 155 clean transportation projects across Canada. This funding includes:
- $84.4 million for 122 projects to install more than 8,000 electric vehicle chargers across Canada through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program
- $5.7 million for three projects through the Green Freight Program to help Canadian fleets reduce their fuel costs and emissions through vehicle repowering, the purchase of low-carbon alternative fuel vehicles and the implementation of best practices to improve fuel efficiency
- $7.2 million for 30 education and awareness projects - 11 of which are Indigenous-led - to increase public and industry knowledge and confidence related to EVs, EV charging and clean fuels.
The choices we make now will shape the future of Canadian transportation and our auto industry for decades to come. Canada's new Auto Strategy will protect the industry and incentivise automakers to build here, so Canada's workers and businesses can transform to compete and win in this new global environment. Today's investments support this strategy by enabling Canadian families from coast to coast to coast to choose clean, affordable transportation.
