2023 Reports 6 to 10 of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the Parliament of Canada—Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program resulting in more charging stations but gaps in coverage remain

2023 Reports 6 to 10 of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the Parliament of CanadaZero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program resulting in more charging stations but gaps in coverage remain

Ottawa, 7 November 2023—A report released today by Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Jerry V. DeMarco concludes that Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program has contributed to expanding the charging infrastructure for zero‑emission vehicles but that it did not prioritize underserved areas in determining where charging stations should be located. The program funds the construction of electric vehicle charging stations across Canada to support the federal government’s call for all new light‑duty vehicles to be zero emission by 2035.

As of July 2023, the program had funded 33,887 electric vehicle charging ports that were either completed or under development. It is on track to exceed the 2026 target of 33,500 charging ports. The audit found that 87% of funded charging ports were at stations in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia with the remaining 13% in the other provinces, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon. The stations were mainly located in multi‑unit residential buildings and public places.

The audit found that Natural Resources Canada did not do enough to ensure the equitable distribution of charging stations across Canada. The department did not collect data to help it identify gaps in charging infrastructure based on the needs of communities. It also did not establish targets for underserved areas or prioritize locations unlikely to be served by other levels of government or by the private sector. While the federal government is not solely responsible for funding charging stations for zero‑emission vehicles, it can do more to help bridge the gaps in infrastructure that are unlikely to be addressed by the private sector.

The audit also found that the program’s design and processes did not include measures to ensure the reliable operation of charging stations beyond the time of installation. While location and access to charging stations are important, the continued reliability of the infrastructure is essential to give Canadians confidence to buy electric vehicles.

“There remains a large gap between the current number of charging stations and those needed by 2035,” said Mr. DeMarco. “Natural Resources Canada needs to work with other levels of government and the private sector to address gaps in charging infrastructure so Canadians feel confident making the switch to zero‑emission vehicles.”

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The 2023 Reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Report 8—The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.

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