Expert says Canada doesn't have enough EV charging stations to meet growing demand

As Canada moves towards cleaner energy, the sales of electric vehicles are increasing rapidly. However, a major concern arises regarding the availability of an adequate number of charging stations to cater to this surging demand.

BC Hydro predicts that the number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in British Columbia will surpass 635,000 by the year 2030, surpassing the current count of over 100,000 EVs in the region.

Concerns arise among experts about the potential hesitance of individuals to transition from their conventional gasoline-fueled vehicles, if Canada fails to expedite the construction of additional charging stations.

Brian Kingston, the head honcho of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, expressed that electrification is the topmost worry consistently brought up by individuals.

The primary factors that continually arise are related to the availability of charging stations, the distance the vehicle can travel on a single charge, and the cost associated with this innovative technology.

Across the entire nation, there are merely around 18,270 charging stations available. According to Kingston, in order to cater to the increasing demand, a minimum of 450,000 charging stations will be required.

"We need to ensure that charging stations are easily accessible along public roads. It is essential to have the availability of on-street charging facilities in city centers where individuals can conveniently park and recharge their vehicles while running errands. Moreover, this accessibility needs to be present everywhere," he stated.

"I'm concerned that at present, individuals fail to recognize this. They do not acknowledge the level of convenience this would bring, and consequently, they are reluctant to transition," he expressed with worry.

With British Columbia taking the lead in transitioning to electric vehicles, Kingston emphasized the urgent requirement for additional charging stations in this area.

"Currently, we possess approximately 151 charging stations spread across approximately 84 venues situated in B.C. By the conclusion of 2025, our aspiration is to enhance this number to 325 stations at 145 different spots," stated Kyle Donaldson, an associate at BC Hydro.

"We are constantly striving to promote the expansion and popularity of electric vehicles, and we offer incentives that can be availed," he elaborated.

According to an official email sent to CTV News, the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation issued a statement.

British Columbia (B.C.) possesses an expansive public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs), constituting one of the most extensive networks in Canada. Presently, there are more than 4,300 public EV charging stations strategically placed throughout B.C., accounting for nearly 50 percent of our target to achieve 10,000 stations by 2030. This stands in stark contrast to a mere 781 charging stations recorded in 2016.

So far, the province has dedicated a sum of $22 million to the installation of public chargers through the CleanBC Go Electric public charger program and a collaboration with Natural Resources Canada, as stated.

At the beginning of this year, the national government announced its commitment to allocate over $1.2 billion in funds towards the construction of more than 84,000 chargers by 2027.