In an eventful year for public EV charging, Canada just broke the 27,000-charger mark — one of the highlights in Electric Autonomy‘s annual tally of public EV charger installations, by network, in Canada

It’s been a banner year on two fronts when it comes to EV charging in Canada: headlines and installations.

Dominating the former: the adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the opening of Tesla’s charging network to non-Tesla vehicles; Plug and Charge service expansion; and ongoing scrutiny, politicizing and anxiety as to the ability of Canada’s charging infrastructure to meet growing needs and quell range anxiety.

Driving the latter: the addition of 6,703 new DC fast and Level 2 chargers in the 12-month end March 1, 2024, according to data from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) compiled by Electric Autonomy for this, our annual EV charging networks report.

That’s a 32.7 per cent increase, on the heels of a 30 per cent increase the previous year. Or, if you prefer, 558 new chargers each month, more than 18 every day.

In all, as of March 1, NRCan data reflects that Canadian EV drivers now have access to 27,181 public charging ports located at 11,077 public charging station locations across the country.

Of those, 22,246 ports (9,605 stations) are Level 2 chargers, while 4,935 ports (1,791 stations) are DC fast chargers. On March 1 last year, by comparison, there were 16,579 Level 2 charging ports (7,549 stations) and 3,899 DC fast charger ports (1,483 stations).

The current totals translate into a 34.2 per cent increase in Level 2 chargers and a 26.6 per cent increase in DC fast chargers in 12 months.

Network-by-network roundup

Below, we present a detailed breakdown of each EV charging network’s assets and offerings. DC fast and Level 2 charger stations operated by every public national and provincial/regional EV charging provider in Canada are listed.

This includes several new entrants, such as Jule, HoneyBadger Charging, Noodoe and AmpUp, as well as three regional networks that have now gone national: Parkland (On The Run), Alimentation Couche-Tard/Circle K Recharge and Hypercharge.

As well, there are selected highlights regarding Plug and Charge capability, other business trends, location highlights, partnerships and future plans.

Our methodology combines tabulations from the NRCan database and a request to each network for further details and additional comments. Many charging operators did not respond or declined to provide comment when approached by Electric Autonomy.

Where non-responses or no comment occur, we have relied on NRCan data reflecting that specific network’s footprint as of March 1, 2024. Since NRCan only tracks charging stations funded with public money, totals for EV charging networks that did reply and which also have public stations funded solely with private money (still the exception, not the rule) may differ from the NRCan database.

Finally, NRCan measures network presence by station location and EVSE ports. Chargers are another way of referring to ports. For continuity with previous years and with the EV charging networks that responded to survey questions, we have chosen to measure network footprints by stations, chargers or both when the information is available.

National Networks

Tesla

• DC Fast Chargers: 2,056 chargers, 210 stations
• Level 2: 1,557 chargers, 559 stations

The biggest charging news around Tesla this past year was undoubtedly the deals it struck with nearly every other automaker to open up its charging network to them in 2024. But it was also busy adding substantially to its Canadian charging network.

While Tesla did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment for this story, our tally, based on NRCan data, is that as of March 1, 2024, it has 2,056 DC fast charger ports installed — a massive increase from the 1,490 we reported as of late 2022 in last year’s report.

A social media post by long-time Tesla lobbyist Iain Myrans revealed that it topped the 2,000 mark in late 2023.

“Congratulations to Tesla‘s Supercharger team for having installed over 2,000 Supercharger posts across Canada — and they’re only just getting started!” Myrans wrote in the post. “Now, with the recent completion of the Oakville ON Supercharger, [NRCan] is reporting a total of 2,007 Tesla Supercharger stalls in the country.”

No doubt, Tesla drivers will appreciate the increase given that they’re now going to have to start sharing more of the network’s chargers with drivers piloting other makes of EVs. As of the beginning of March, Ford EV drivers have the option of using the Tesla network with an adapter they can purchase, with more to follow.

Also, in 2023, Tesla began installing its “Magic Dock” adapter on some stations. The device makes those chargers open to all OEMs. By the end of 2025, it plans to have Magic Docks installed at 750 charging stations in Canada.

FLO

• DC Fast Chargers: 637 chargers
• Level 2: 8,492 stations

In 2023, the FLO network added 265 DC Fast Charging stations and 2,631 Level 2 stations for a total of 2,896 new stations. The company’s total network is 9,129 public chargers in Canada.

Of those, 87 stations offer charging over 100 kW.

In 2024, FLO will be deploying its new FLO Ultra Fast Charger. “It will charge most EVs to 80 per cent in 15 minutes with up to 320 kW available using dynamic power sharing and up to 500 kW with multiple electric vehicle charging stations connected together,” reads an email statement from a company spokesperson.

FLO declined to give further information on charger installations for the coming year, stating the company does not disclose projections.

Flo is working with Hubject GmbH, a Berlin-based eMobility expert to introduce Plug and Charge technology to its Ultra fast chargers.

Peaks to Prairies

• DC Fast Chargers: 20 stations
• Level 2: 2 stations

FLO is also the network operator of Peaks to Prairies, a community-driven initiative to deploy a network of EV chargers in southern Alberta. The network was started by Alberta Southwest Regional Alliance, SouthGrow Regional Initiative, Medicine Hat College and the cities of Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

Peaks to Prairies did not add any new charging stations between in our survey period.

Peaks to Prairies completed the installation of 20 DC fast chargers operating at 50 kW in 2019. Its owner and equipment operator is ATCOenergy.

A representative from ATCO says the charging stations are “ISO 15118 compatible,” (meaning they can offer Plug and Charge), but “it hasn’t been enabled yet.”

Aura Charging Network

• DC Fast Chargers: 67 chargers
• Level 2: 31 chargers

Baseload Power Corp., a Toronto-based owner, operator and developer of sustainable electricity infrastructure, launched its Aura EV Charging network in 2022. The company uses FLO’s equipment and operating systems to deploy the chargers.

The network has a total of 98 EV chargers. Among these, 67 are DC fast chargers and 31 are Level 2 chargers.

By the end of 2024, Baseload plans to add 100 DC fast chargers, with charging speed capabilities of between 100 kW to 350 kW, says Jonathan Sandler, president of Baseload Power, in an email statement to Electric Autonomy.

All Aura charging stations are Plug and Charge capable.

ChargePoint

• DC Fast Chargers: 249 chargers, 247 stations
• Level 2: 5,797 chargers, 3,087 stations

In an email response to our request for network information, ChargePoint referred us to the NRCan database. Based on that data, the ChargePoint network added 33 DC fast charging ports and 1,394 Level 2 charging ports in 2023.

In company news and developments, ChargePoint has developed a new DC fast-charging platform, the Express Plus Power Link 2000, to power the Mercedes-Benz public charging network. The charging stations, which will be deployed across North America, can simultaneously charge two vehicles, at high speeds of up to 500kW.

The Express Plus Power Link 2000 chargers have Plug and Charge capabilities.

ChargePoint also started rolling out the NACS connector to support its Level 2 and DC fast chargers in October 2023.

EcoCharge

• DC Fast Chargers: 204 chargers, 102 stations
• Level 2: 0 stations 

ChargePoint is also the equipment and software supplier for the EcoCharge network.

The EcoCharge network is comprised solely of DC fast chargers. In 2023, 22 stations were added to the network, bringing the total number of stations to 102. The charging stations are always installed in pairs and can be combined to provide 125 kW of charging speed.

EcoCharge does not appear as a distinct network in NRCan’s tally of Canadian public charging networks. It was launched in 2020 as a collaboration between Earth Day Canada — a Quebec-based environmental organization — Fonds Éco IGA and participating IGA grocers. The network operates across the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick.

The network currently does not feature Plug and Charge capability. In an email to Electric Autonomy, a spokesperson said that to access the EcoCharge network, users can use various methods such as debit/credit cards, the ChargePoint app, as well as the Flo and Circuit Électrique apps (with roaming fees applicable for the latter two).

The network is working on adding at least 88 chargers (44 stations) by 2025.

Electrify Canada

• DC Fast Chargers: 142 chargers, 34 stations
• Level 2: 0 stations 

Electrify Canada, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, opened 12 new DC fast chargers in 2023. Marking its entry into the province of Saskatchewan, the network introduced six of these new chargers, offering speeds of up to 350 kW, in Regina. The other six new DC fast chargers were deployed at a single location in Red Deer, Alta.

In total, Electrify Canada now has 142 chargers and 34 charging stations spread across Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. The plan is to expand into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by 2025, says a spokesperson for Electrify Canada to Electric Autonomy.

Each Electrify Canada station comprises four DC fast chargers capable of speeds ranging from 150 kW to 350 kW. As of February 2024, there were 93 chargers with speeds up to 150 kW and 49 chargers with speeds up to 350 kW.

For 2024, Electrify Canada says it plans to improve coverage in areas where it already operates to address the growing demand for charging in metropolitan and urban areas, such as Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.

In January 2024, the network introduced energy-based and station-specific pricing. “The new billing structure aligns with recent regulatory changes that now allow for energy-based pricing at applicable DC fast charging stations,” says the spokesperson.

Electrify Canada also provides complimentary free DC fast charging to drivers that have purchased the following EVs: the Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q8 e-tron, Audi e-tron GT, BMW i7, Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, and Volkswagen ID.4

It says it plans to add the NACS connector to its fast charging network by 2025. The network has also been Plug and Charge enabled since 2021.

Parkland (On the Run)

• DC Fast Chargers: 200 chargers
• Level 2: 0

Parkland is one of Canada’s largest fuel distributors and retailers. Between March 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024, its charging network saw some impressive growth.

In that span, Parkland more than doubled its network, adding 110 DC fast charging ports, bringing its total to 200 fast charging ports. The stations all have speeds of over 100 kW, says a spokesperson for Parkland to Electric Autonomy.

The chargers are located at existing Parkland-operated Chevron gas stations as well as at its On the Run convenience stores. All have On the Run EV charging branding.

In 2023, Parkland received a $210-million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to support “the installation of up to 2,000 new fast charging ports.”

Parkland EV stations are now operational in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and, and in 2024, the company is targeting to open locations in Quebec.

“We are looking to markets where there is tangible demand,” a company spokesperson tells Electric Autonomy.

The company does not offer Plug and Charge.

Petro-Canada

• DC Fast Chargers: 110 chargers, 57 stations
• Level 2: 13 chargers, 7 stations 

Petro-Canada added two DC fast chargers at one station location in the past year. All of Petro-Canada’s chargers are capable of charging speeds over 100 kW and “most are rated up to 350 kW on CCS,” the company claims.

The network does not offer Plug and Charge, but says in a statement, “We continue to work to meet the needs of EV drivers and improve their experience across Petro-Canada’s EV charging network.”

Shell Recharge Solutions

• DC Fast Chargers: 71 chargers, 23 stations
• Level 2: 45 chargers, 20 stations

Shell Recharge Solutions, formerly Greenlots, did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment for this story.

According to NRCan data, Shell did not add any new chargers to its network in the last year.

SWTCH Energy

• DC Fast Chargers: 36 chargers, 18 stations
• Level 2: 1,116 chargers, 1,116 stations

In 2023, Toronto-based SWTCH Energy added two DC fast-charging ports and 456 Level 2 ports to its network. This brought its total count to 18 DC Fast Charging stations and 1,116 Level 2 charging stations. Twelve of its DC fast chargers have speeds of over 100 kW.

In 2024, according to a company spokesperson, SWTCH is “looking to add about 2,500 public chargers and 7,500 semi-private chargers with a 98 per cent being Level 2s.”

Some of this growth was originally expected in 2023.

“We planned to add about 4,000-5,000 chargers in 2023 (with about 98 per cent being Level 2s),” says SWTCH CEO and co-founder Carter Li. “We couldn’t get many of them in the ground due to project delays.”

SWTCH also has a Plug and Charge partnership with Hubject and Autogrid. Its network “supports both ISO15118 and Autocharge+ versions of Plug and Charge,” confirms Li.

Hypercharge

• DC Fast Chargers: 14 chargers
• Level 2: 486 chargers

Hypercharge is a B.C.-based smart charging solutions provider that has a total of 500 public charging stations as part of its network, says the company’s spokesperson to Electric Autonomy.

In our survey period, it added 10 DC fast chargers and 188 Level 2 chargers to its public network.

Four of the chargers offer charging speed over 100 kW.

Hypercharge operates in eight provinces and tells Electric Autonomy, “We are planning to add 700 public Level 2 chargers and 60 public DCFCs” in 2024.

The network does not offer Plug and Charge.

Alimentation Couche-Tard/ Circle K Recharge

• DC Fast Chargers: 88 chargers, 45 stations
• Level 2: 0 chargers, 0 stations

In 2023, Alimentation Couche-Tard, based in Quebec and also the owner of the Circle K store brand, expanded its public fast-charging network beyond Quebec, entering British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta.

According to a spokesperson for Couche-Tard in an email to Electric Autonomy, the network added 70 DC fast chargers in 2023. These chargers offer 180 kW charging, with one location featuring chargers exceeding 360 kW.

“For 2024, more [chargers] will be deployed,” says the spokesperson, adding that Couche-Tard is working with various roaming partners, such as the Electric Circuit, to open its charging network to new customers.

The network does not offer Plug and Charge.

OpConnect

• DC Fast Chargers: 2 chargers, 1 station
• Level 2: 161 chargers, 34 stations

OpConnect is a U.S.-based charging network operating 35 charging stations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Per NRCan data, OpConnect’s public network consists of two DC Fast Chargers and 161 Level 2 chargers.

OpConnect did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment for this story.

The network does not offer Plug and Charge.

Provincial/Regional Networks

The Electric Circuit (Le Circuit électrique)

• DC Fast Chargers: 896 chargers
• Level 2: 4,210 chargers

The Electric Circuit (Le Circuit électrique), Hydro-Quebec’s public charging network, has the most extensive charging network in Quebec, with a total of 896 DC fast charging ports and 4,210 Level 2 charging ports.

In 2023, the network installed 1,002 Level 2 charging ports and 167 DC fast charging ports. Its target was to install 240 fast-charging ports. Among the total 896 DC fast charging ports, 89 can deliver over 100 kW, and four can deliver 350 kW.

The Electric Circuit plans to add about 200 new DC fast charging ports in 2024.

“We are also working hard to develop our roaming partnerships with other charging networks across North America,” says a spokesperson from the Electric Circuit to Electric Autonomy. “As of today, our members can have access to more than 100,000 charging stations across the continent. These charging stations can be accessed with the Electric Circuit mobile app.”

The Electric Circuit’s roaming partners include FLO, SWTCH, Shell Recharge, eCharge Network, ChargePoint, HyperCharge and Mercedes-Benz Canada’s charging ecosystem, Mercedes me Charge.

The network does not currently offer Plug and Charge, but the spokesperson says the Electric Circuit is working with its suppliers to have it in the future.

Ivy Charging Network

• DC Fast Chargers: 150 chargers, 58 stations
• Level 2: 34 chargers, 26 stations

The Ivy Charging Network is a joint venture between Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One. Each of Ivy’s 84 sites has two to four chargers for a total of 184 chargers. Sixty-six of the chargers offer speeds over 100 kW.

Ivy charger site locations include the chain of ONroute service centres on Highways 401 and 400.

The network does not offer Plug and Charge.

Jule

• DC Fast Chargers: 24 chargers, 9 stations
• Level 2: 0

Jule Power is the new brand name of North American battery storage systems and DC fast electric vehicle charging provider, eCAMION.

The network did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment for this story. However, data from NRCan shows the company has 24 DC fast chargers at nine stations in Ontario and Manitoba.

BC Hydro EV

• DC Fast Chargers: 162 chargers, 85 stations
• Level 2: 2 chargers, 2 stations

British Columbia’s BC Hydro EV charging network aimed to install 30 new DC chargers to its public fast charging network in 2023. The network came very close to achieving this goal, installing 29 chargers, says a BC Hydro spokesperson in an email to Electric Autonomy.

BC Hydro is continuing to prioritize the integration of 100 kW or higher fast chargers into its network and opted not to add Level 2 chargers in 2023. It currently has 25 operational 100 kW charging units, with plans to introduce a “significant amount of 180 kW units” into the network this year, says the spokesperson.

This year, BC Hydro aims to double the size of its public EV fast-charging network, with plans to introduce dual-port chargers. It will focus on growing its network in urban areas and extend coverage across B.C. and the Yukon border. The spokesperson adds that the network will also complete accessibility upgrades to more of its existing fast-charging sites.

BC Hydro does not offer Plug and Charge but is planning to incorporate it.

EV Connect

• DC Fast Chargers: 134 chargers
• Level 2: 151 chargers

California-based charging provider EV Connect added 151 Level 2 chargers and 134 DC fast chargers in Canada in 2023. It currently has a total of 596 active chargers and 519 charging stations, with 26 of these chargers boasting speeds surpassing 100 kW.

In 2023, EV Connect announced a new partnership with Marriott Hotels aimed at simplifying EV charging setup, management, and optimization for Marriott’s properties and guests across the U.S. and Canada.

Looking forward to 2024, a spokesperson for EV Connect told Electric Autonomy in an email: “Our network has plans to add more chargers in 2024, but the specific targets for Level 2 and DC fast chargers are part of confidential growth plans. The overarching goal is to continue expanding our presence in Canada.”

EV Connect has Plug and Charge-capable charging stations exclusively for General Motors drivers. It plans to expand its network of Plug and Charge stations throughout 2024.

eCharge Network

• DC Fast Chargers: 32 ports, 32 stations
• Level 2: 127 ports, 90 stations

The eCharge Network is owned and operated by the utility New Brunswick Power.

The network did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment for this story.

According to NRCan data, the eCharge network includes 90 Level 2 charging stations and 32 DC fast charging stations. The DC fast charging station has speeds ranging from 50 kW to 100 kW.

The network does not offer Plug and Charge.

Co-op Connect

• DC Fast Chargers: 29 chargers, 16 stations
• Level 2: 0 chargers, 0 stations

The Co-op Connect network, launched by Federated Co-operatives Ltd. in 2021, remained steady in 2023, with 29 chargers operating at 100 kW speeds, in 16 locations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

According to a company spokesperson, this was by design. Co-op had no intentions of expanding its public charging network in 2023, says the spokesperson in an email to Electric Autonomy. In 2024, however, it plans to add 45 100 kW DC fast chargers, along with two Level 2 chargers to its network.

Co-op Connect uses a third-party software provider, which has not yet deployed Plug and Charge technology.

takeCHARGE Electric Vehicle Charging Network

• DC Fast Chargers: 33 chargers, 33 stations
• Level 2: 33 charger, 33 stations

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Newfoundland Power operate the takeCHARGE Charging Network chargers located along the Trans-Canada Highway from St. John’s to Port aux Basque. And one charger is located at Gros Morne National Park.

According to a company spokesperson, the network added six DC fast chargers (62.5 kW) and six Level 2 chargers in the last 12 months.

The network has a total of 33 charging stations and each is equipped with a 62.5 kW DC fast charger and a Level 2 charger.

The network says it is continuing to look for opportunities to expand, but has no announcements to make for 2024. It does not offer Plug and Charge.

Toronto Parking Authority

• DC Fast Chargers: 15 chargers
• Level 2: 275 chargers

The Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) is the largest municipally owned commercial parking operator in North America.

In response to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment for this story, TPA says it now has 407 chargers in total across the network and is continuing to grow.

“TPA is planning on adding additional chargers in 2024 but locations, quantities and type are yet to be determined,” reads the statement.

Currently the TPA network does not support Plug and Charge.

HoneyBadger Charging

• DC Fast Chargers: 0
• Level 2: 4 chargers, 2 stations

HoneyBadger Charging is a B.C.-based charging network and a new entrant into Canada’s public charging network.

In 2023, the company installed its first two charging stations in New Westminster and Victoria. In Q1 of 2024, it is planning to add three more charging stations in New Westminster and aims to have 75 chargers installed by the end of the year.

HoneyBadger does not offer Plug and Charge, but says, “Our goal is to have tap-2-pay on all of our chargers,” says a company spokesperson.

Blink Charging

• DC Fast Chargers: 1 charger, 1 station
• Level 2: 50 chargers, 16 stations

Blink Charging did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for information.

Based on NRCan data, Blink Charging currently operates six Level 2 charging ports and does not have any DC fast charging ports.

This represents a significant decrease when compared to the numbers reported in Electric Autonomy’s annual EV charging roundup from last year. At the time, according to NRCan data, Blink Charging had 50 Level 2 charging ports and one DC fast charging port.

Sun Country Highway 

• DC Fast Chargers: 0 stations
• Level 2: 4 chargers, 3 stations

Sun Country Highway did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for information. According to NRCan data, it did not add any new stations to its charging network in 2023.

Noodoe

• DC Fast Chargers: 0 stations
• Level 2: 2 chargers, 1 station

NooDoe is a U.S.-based charging network operator. It did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for information. 

NooDoe, according to NRCan data, currently operates one Level 2 charging station in British Columbia.

AmpUp

• DC Fast Chargers: 0 chargers, 0 station
• Level 2: 2 chargers, 1 station

AmpUp is a U.S.-based charging network operator founded in 2018. It did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment for this story. 

According to NRCan data, AmpUp has two Level 2 ports installed in one location in New Brunswick.