PARIS—Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said Tuesday that her government is investing $20 million toward hundreds of electric-vehicle charging stations to be installed within and between urban centres.

Environment Minister Glen Murray, who along with Wynne is participating in the Paris climate summit, said the investment will go toward two types of charging stations: Slower Level 2 chargers to be installed at workplaces where vehicles are parked for hours and much faster Level 3 chargers that can replenish most of a vehicle’s battery system within 30 minutes.

“The program will be application-based on a first-come, first-serve basis,” said Murray, pointing out that the $20 million will be spent within the fiscal year and is just a start. “The program will be elaborated on in the next budget year, so this is really a kick-start program.”

Wynne said the move is part of many initiatives that will come out of the province’s new climate plan, which focuses on reducing the greenhouse-gas emissions that come from transportation and building. The coal phase-out completed last year makes EVs that run on Ontario grid electricity that much cleaner.

“A shift to low-emission vehicles is vital to the fight against climate change,” the premier said. “Driving electric vehicles is a tangible way for people to make a difference.”

Consumers who purchase a plug-in hybrid or pure electric vehicle in Ontario can get rebates of $5,000 and up to $8,500. Currently, there are 5,400 electric vehicles registered to drive on provincial roads, and Wynne wants to boost that number.

“We know that in order for electric vehicles to take off in Ontario there has to be the infrastructure in place,” she said.

In Toronto, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca noted there are currently 5,400 electric vehicles in Ontario, but expanding the places to charge them should boost those numbers.

“By investing in charging infrastructure that is fast, reliable and affordable we will encourage more Ontarians to purchase electric vehicles, reducing greenhouse gas pollution and keeping our air clean,” said Del Duca.

Economic Development and Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid said the measure could be good for the automotive business, which is a key driver of the provincial economy.

“Promoting the use and development of electric vehicles is part of Ontario’s approach to align our economy with future consumer and industry trends,” said Duguid.

The lack of an extensive charging station network is as “a big psychological barrier” that deters consumers, says Cara Clairman, president and CEO of Plug’n Drive, which advocates electric car use.

“People want the opportunity to go on long trips — to Montreal, to Algonquin Park — my (Nissan Leaf) can get me to Cobourg or to Hamilton, but it doesn’t take me too much further,” Clairman said.

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The absence of a dense and far-reaching provincial network — 2,700 charge stations are scattered across the country — means that 80 to 90 per cent of recharges occur at home, according a 2014 report by the Canadian Condominium Institute and Plug’n Drive.

This article is part of a series produced in partnership by the Toronto Star and Tides Canada to address a range of pressing climate issues in Canada leading up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, December 2015. Tides Canada is supporting this partnership to increase public awareness and dialogue around the impacts of climate change on Canada’s economy and communities. The Toronto Star has full editorial control and responsibility to ensure stories are rigorously edited in order to meet its editorial standards.