Range anxiety is limiting the growth of electric cars in Ontario, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca says.

The Ontario government will offer $20 million in grants to public or private partners willing to develop a network of fast-charging stations across the province that can be used to power up any electric car.

“It was a way for us to make a very clear statement to the people of Ontario that we want them to support this, we want them to embrace this innovation,” Del Duca said Tuesday. “Having the knowledge that they can refuel relatively easily right across our road and highway network is something that I know will encourage them to make the switch.”

Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement Tuesday while attending the UN climate change conference in Paris.

The transportation sector is responsible for about 35% of Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions, and a significant move to electric cars would help the province meet its commitment to reduce CO2 emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, Del Duca said.

There are only about 5,400 electric vehicles registered in Ontario and just five fast-charging stations, all located in the GTA.

Electric carmaker Tesla provides more stations, but only for its vehicles.

Level 3 charging stations, which range in price from $10,000 to $40,000 each, can power up a car to 80% in 20-30 minutes.

Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown said the government has been announcing one-off, rushed climate change initiatives, such as cap-and-trade and charging stations, with little information.

“We talk a lot about climate change but there’s really no plan or details from this government,” Brown said. “It’s almost like they’re spending the money that they’re going to get from the carbon tax before actually telling us what it’s going to cost and what the plan is.”

The Wynne government says it will pay for the $20-million grant program out of the Ontario Green Investment Fund.

It promised “full program details” would be released later this month.