The Ontario government is streamlining the process of connecting new electric vehicle (EV) chargers to local power grids.
In response to a letter of direction sent by Minister of Energy Todd Smith, the Ontario Energy Board will establish a constant province-wide procedure that all local utilities must follow for installing and connecting new EV charging infrastructure.
The changes will come into effect for each of Ontario’s 58 local electricity utilities on May 17, and will include the implementation of standardized forms, timelines, and information requirements.
“By increasing the accessibility of public EV charging stations across the province, including for rural and northern communities, we are providing more sustainable and convenient travel options for drivers,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria in a news release.
Currently, all electricity utilities have different procedures for connecting new public EV charging stations. The updated process is expected to make it easier for EV charging providers to deploy chargers in all regions of the province.
As of December 2023, there are more than 150,000 EVs registered in Ontario, including several EV fast chargers that are now installed at all 20 renovated ONroute stations along highways 400 and 401.
By 2030, the Ontario government expects to have more than one million EVs on the road across the province.
