As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to gain momentum in Canada, the demand for accessible and efficient charging infrastructure is becoming increasingly critical. With a growing number of EVs on the road, the expansion of the country’s charging network is essential to meet the needs of environmentally conscious drivers and promote the transition to sustainable transportation. Currently, over 6,000 public charging stations are available across the nation, though this number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years as Canada embraces the shift toward electric mobility.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and FLO, a leading North American electric vehicle (EV) charging network operator, have announced their plan to bring more than 2,000 public fast charging ports online across Canada by 2027. This move comes as part of a $220 million loan commitment from CIB, which represents the first investment under its Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure (CHRI) initiative. The CHRI initiative is focused on expanding the private sector’s rollout of large-scale charging infrastructure.
Doubling Public Fast Charging Ports to Drive Zero-Emission Adoption and Slash Transportation Emissions
Once completed, the installations will nearly double the number of total universal public fast charging ports currently available in the country. According to Natural Resources Canada, the transportation sector accounts for 25 per cent of national greenhouse gas emissions. By enhancing the amount of EV chargers available across Canada, zero-emission vehicle adoption is expected to increase, significantly reducing transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions.
The CIB and FLO partnership is designed to mitigate risks such as uncertainty in the rate and pace of EV adoption and charger utilization, which have historically been barriers to private investment in charging infrastructure. The project will include the buildout of a FLO owned-and-operated network of fast chargers primarily using the recently launched dual-port FLO Ultra™, a 320 kW ultra-fast charger designed to maximize energy delivery and charge most EVs to 80 per cent in 15 minutes.
Rapid Charger Rollout: 400 Sites in 4 Years, Streamlined Process for Site Hosts Seeking EV Infrastructure
The chargers are intended to be installed within four years at approximately 400 sites across Canada. FLO will collaborate with site hosts to install the chargers along qualifying transportation corridors and in urban and suburban communities with populations greater than 20,000. This model presents an attractive opportunity for site hosts who wish to offer charging services without assuming the planning, installing, and operating responsibilities associated with charging deployment. Parties interested in learning more about hosting a FLO charging site can visit the FLO Own & Operate webpage.
In September 2022, the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) introduced its $500 million zero-emission vehicle Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative (CHRI). The collaboration between CIB and FLO supports the Canadian government’s goal of adding 50,000 new EV chargers and hydrogen refuelling stations nationwide. FLO currently facilitates over 1,000,000 charging events monthly through more than 90,000 fast and level 2 EV charging stations deployed in public, private, and residential areas. The company is also in talks with potential equity partners for funding its owned and operated initiatives.