Purchase incentives for new plug-in electric vehicles were established in Ontario, and consisted of a rebate between CA$5,000 (4 kWh battery) to $8,500 (17 kWh or more), depending on battery size, for purchasing or leasing a new PEV after July 1, 2010. The rebates were available to the first 10,000 applicants who qualify.[3][4] The province also introduced green-coloured
licence plates for exclusive use of
plug-in hybrids and
battery electric vehicles.[3][5][6] These unique
green vehicle plates allow PEV owners to travel in the province's
carpool lanes until 2015 regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle. Also, owners are eligible to use
recharging stations at
GO Transit and other provincially owned parking lots.[3][6]
This program was discontinued in 2018, and as of April 2022[update], Ontario does not offer any tax rebates for electric vehicle purchases.[7][8]
Charging stations
As of April 2022[update], there were 325 DC
charging station locations with 973 charging ports in Ontario.[9]
In a poll conducted in 2022 by Clean Energy Canada of Ontario residents, 53% of respondents said they were more likely to buy an electric vehicle than a gasoline-powered vehicle for their next vehicle purchase.[20]
By region
Brantford
The first electric vehicles in the
Brantford municipal fleet were introduced in October 2021.[21]
London
As of November 2021[update], there were 20 public AC charging stations in
London.[22]
Niagara
The first electric vehicles in the
St. Catharines municipal fleet were introduced in November 2020.[23]
Ottawa
As of 2019[update], there were 184 public charging stations in
Ottawa.[24]
Peterborough
The first public charging stations in
Peterborough opened in April 2022.[25]
Sudbury
The first electric vehicles in the
Sudbury municipal fleet were introduced in April 2021.[26]
Toronto
As of May 2022[update], there were 864 public charging stations in
Toronto.[27]
In 2022, the first electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in Canada was announced; it will be built in
Windsor, and is scheduled to open in 2024.[29]