Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca (left) is introduced by a representative of Ikea at the announcement of all 250-plus locations of the Electric Vehicle Chargers Ontario network, while joined by federal minister of the Environment and Climate Change Glen Murray, and local Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Peter Milczyn.

Many McDonald's and Tim Horton's locations across the province will become fueling stations for electric vehicle owners and their cars in the next few months, after details were announced today of where the Ontario government plans to install almost 500 EV charging stations at over 250 locations across the province.

Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca announced a map showing the upcoming locations of all the stations is now live, with an extensive network that will consist of nearly 300 Level 2 stations, which can be used by every vehicle with plug-in capability, as well as almost 200 of the much pricier Level 3 chargers that will help buyers of battery electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and upcoming Chevrolet Bolt drive longer distances away from their home, and recharge their batteries fully in less than half an hour, said Del Duca.

"This will address the 'range anxiety' that's a common concern among consumers regarding the distance electric vehicles can travel compared to traditional vehicles," said Del Duca, noting that for years there were only three of these Level 3 chargers available in the province, all of them in the greater Toronto area. These L3s, as they're called by EV owners, can fully recharge a quick charger-equipped vehicle like the Nissan Leaf in roughly 20 minutes, allowing drivers to make quick pit stops while re-fueling their vehicle, and making longer drives not only possible in a reasonable time frame, but also far more comfortable and flexible with fast-charging options.

Upcoming vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt will also be able to use this quick-charging capability, even though it and many other cars use a different CCS quick-charging standard than the Leaf's CHAdeMO standard, since the government mandated that all the quick chargers be able to handle both types of fast-charging systems.

No details are available yet on exactly when all the pending stations will be open and available to the public, but the first units are expected to be unveiled within days or weeks, while all partners have agreed to have them installed by March 31, 2017. With the province covering the costs of installation, each location partner will be able to set their own rates, whether a flat fee per charge, by time, or even by kilowatt-hour.

Many stations are expected to provide charging for free, at least for some introductory period or permanently to encourage EV owners to stop by, while Del Duca noted that the typical rates in other jurisdictions range from $5 to $10 per charge.



One notable exception to the list of 250 charging locations are Ontario's wide network of ONroute highway service stations, which were mentioned specifically as ideal charging station locations when the province's comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan, but weren't part of this announcement, Del Duca confirmed.

If all 259 locations are completed and running by the March 31, 2017 deadline, Ontario will have one of the most extensive EV charging networks in North America, and behind only Quebec in Canada, where the vast majority of plug-in vehicles are currently sold.

Ontario obviously hopes to increase its plug-in sales, and will institute many other measures towards this goal:

- Working with the federal government to reduce/eliminate HST on new or used EV purchases.

- Has increased the maximum plug-in rebate amount from $8,500 to $14,000, one of the most generous financial EV rebates in the world.

- A cash for clunkers program that will encourage consumers to trade in higher-polluting older models for discounts on new or used electric vehicles.

- Free overnight charging for electric vehicles within the next two years, to 2020.

Here's the full release from the province detailing today's announcement, as well as a list of all 259 committed locations.

News Release Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Coming Soon July 13, 2016 Province Unveils Over 250 Convenient Charging Locations Ontario is building almost 500 electric vehicle charging stations at over 250 convenient locations across the province to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight climate change. The province is working with 24 public- and private-sector partners to create an unprecedented network of public charging electric vehicle stations in cities, along highways, at workplaces and at various public places across Ontario. This includes over 200 Level 3 and nearly 300 Level 2 charging stations. The entire network will be in service by March 31, 2017. The province's $20-million investment under Ontario's Green Investment Fund will expand charging infrastructure across the province and will help address "range anxiety," a common concern of consumers regarding the distance electric vehicles can travel compared to traditional vehicles. Building a more robust network of public chargers across Ontario allows electric vehicle owners to plan longer trips knowing that charging stations are as readily available as gas stations. With the new network of stations, electric vehicle drivers will be able to travel confidently from Windsor to Ottawa or from Toronto to North Bay and within and around major urban centres. The $325-million Green Investment Fund, an initial investment in Ontario's new five-year Climate Change Action Plan, is already strengthening the economy, creating good jobs and driving innovation while fighting climate change -- a strong signal of what Ontarians can expect from the plan and proceeds from the province's cap and trade program. These investments will help secure a healthy, clean and prosperous low-carbon future and transform the way we live, move, work and adapt to our environment while ensuring strong, sustainable communities. Investing in climate action is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario's history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUICK FACTS An interactive map of the EVCO network of stations will be easily accessible on Ontario 511 . Station location data will also be posted on Ontario’s Open Data Catalogue to allow software developers and other interested parties to use the data in their mobile application or digital product development.

Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan is providing people and businesses with tools and incentives to accelerate the use of clean technology that exists today.

A shift to low- and zero-emission vehicles is vital to the fight against climate change and achieving Ontario’s greenhouse gas pollution reduction target of 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Green Investment Fund projects include: more electric vehicle charging stations; energy retrofits for single-family homes and affordable housing; support for Indigenous communities, industry and small and medium-sized businesses, and helping local organizations fight climate change.

Greenhouse gases from cars account for more emissions than those from industries such as iron, steel, cement, and chemicals combined.

There are nearly 7,000 electric vehicles currently on the road in Ontario.

Over 200 applications to the Electric Vehicle Charger Ontario program were received between Dec. 21, 2015 and Feb. 12, 2016, totalling more than $165 million in grant requests.

List of chargers