Canada’s public EV charging networks have broken the 20,000-charger mark — one of the highlights in Electric Autonomy Canada’s latest annual tally of public EV charger installations, by network, in Canada

The collective footprint of Canada’s public EV charging networks has grown by almost one-third since the start of 2022. This is according to national data collected by Electric Autonomy for our annual tally of public EV charger installations in Canada.

As of March 1, 2023, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) data shows another period of significant growth in Canada. EV drivers now have access to at least 20,478 charging ports located at 8,732 charging station locations across the country.

This growth in ports represents a 30 per cent increase since December 31, 2021.

In all, 16,579 ports (7,549 stations) are Level 2 chargers, while 3,899 ports (1,483 stations) are DC fast chargers.

At the end of 2021, by comparison, there were 12,585 Level 2 charging ports and 3,138 DC fast charger ports. The current totals translate into a 31.7 per cent increase in Level 2 chargers and a 24.6 per cent increase in DC fast chargers in 14 months.

Network-by-network roundup

Below, we present a detailed breakdown for each of the EV charging networks. DC fast and Level 2 charger stations operated by every public national and provincial/regional EV charging provider in Canada are listed. As well, there are selected highlights regarding business trends, location highlights, partnerships and future plans.

As was the case in 2021, the past year saw the launch of several new EV charging networks. New entrants sprang from a number of sectors: fuel and service station giant Parkland, convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard, electricity infrastructure provider Baseload Power and the Toronto Parking Authority.

There was also at least one re-branding, with Shell Recharge Solutions replacing Greenlots.

Our methodology combines tabulations from the NRCan database and a request to each network for further details and additional comment. 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, 2023. But 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: 1,490 stations
• Level 2: 2,100 stations

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

However, per a letter filed to the government in November 2022, Tesla disclosed that it operates 1,490 DC fast-charging stations in Canada and 2,100 Level 2 chargers.

And, in the United States, Tesla opened up its proprietary network to non-Tesla vehicles to charge in early 2023. There is no indication if or when Tesla chargers in Canada will be inclusive to all EV drivers.

Regarding future plans, Electric Autonomy has exclusively reported on Tesla’s lobbying efforts and communications with the various levels of government in Canada.

In the most recent documents (filed in February 2023) Tesla highlights a key goal regarding public charging.

“Tesla is seeking to ensure the efficient and consistent integration of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with the transmission and distribution systems across the province,” reads the filing.

“Tesla’s intended outcome is to help accelerate the pace at which charging station new service connections are provided while minimizing connection costs, in order to increase the number of charging stations deployed in Ontario.”

FLO

• DC Fast Chargers: 391 stations
• Level 2: 5,792 stations

The FLO network is a subsidiary of Quebec-based AddÉnergie. It has one of Canada’s largest charging infrastructure footprints, with more than 80,000 fast and Level 2 charging stations deployed at public, private and residential locations, says a spokesperson for FLO in an email to Electric Autonomy.

FLO added 4,594 Level 2 chargers and 119 DC fast chargers to its public network in 2022. It currently has 144 chargers with speeds of 100 kW.

As part of General Motors’ Dealer Community Charging Program, the company announced in 2022 that it will be installing 40,000 public Level 2 chargers in communities across North America. FLO is also in the second year of a five-year deal to supply over 7,500 Level 2 chargers to Hydro-Quebec’s charging network, Electric Circuit.

In 2024, FLO will also be launching the FLO Ultra high-speed charging stations. FLO Ultra offers charge speeds up to 320 kW and the capacity to charge “most” EVs to 80 per cent in 15 minutes.

Peaks to Prairies

• Completed 2019
• DC fast chargers: 20 stations
• Level 2: 2 stations

FLO is also the network operator of Peaks to Prairies (P2P). P2P is a community-driven initiative started by Alberta Southwest Regional Alliance, SouthGrow Regional Initiative, Medicine Hat College and the cities of Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat to deploy a network of EV chargers in southern Alberta. Peaks to Prairies completed the installation of 20 DC fast charging and Level 2 stations in 2019. Its owner and equipment operator is ATCOenergy.

Aura Charging Network

• DC Fast Chargers: 34 chargers
• Level 2: 31 chargers

Baseload Power Corp. is a Toronto-based owner, operator and developer of sustainable electricity infrastructure. It launched its own EV charging network, the Aura EV Charging network, in 2022.

Baseload partnered with FLO in order to use FLO’s equipment and operating systems to help deploy the chargers.

Currently, there are 34 fast chargers and 31 Level 2 chargers in operation. Another 33 fast chargers are under construction and will come online by the second quarter of 2023, says Jonathan Sandler, president of Baseload Power in an email statement to Electric Autonomy.

The Aura network chargers have charging speeds between 50 kW to 100 kW and are located across Ontario and Quebec.

Sandler adds that Baseload plans to “more than double in size” its charging network by the end of 2024.

ChargePoint

• DC Fast Chargers: 216 chargers, 216 stations
• Level 2: 4,403 chargers, 2,366 stations

ChargePoint responded to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment, but declined to share any data on its network. The network referred us to the NRCan database for information on public stations in Canada on the ChargePoint network.

Comparing data from last year’s charging network roundup, it’s clear that ChargePoint has been expanding its presence in Canada. The network added 58 DC fast-charging ports and 2,309 more Level 2 ports across the country, per NRCan data.

In company news, in early 2023 ChargePoint announced a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz to launch a new DC fast-charging network across North America. By 2027, Mercedes plans to have over 400 charging hubs with more than 2,500 high-power chargers. The fast chargers will be powered by ChargePoint’s charging hardware and software solutions. ChargePoint already has a history of working with Mercedes. It acts as the German automaker’s backend provider in the U.S. for its official charging ecosystem, Mercedes me Charge.

EcoCharge

• DC Fast Chargers: 168 chargers, 84 stations
• Level 2: 0 stations 

ChargePoint is also the equipment and software supplier for the EcoCharge network. EcoCharge does not appear as a distinct network in NRCan’s tally of Canadian public charging networks. EcoCharge did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment for this story.

According to the EcoCharge website, the network, which operates in Quebec and New Brunswick, added 62 charging stations in 2022. There are two chargers per station. Each DC fast charging station reaches 125 kW, making it one of the fastest multi-vehicle charging networks in Canada.

EcoCharge launched in 2020 as a collaboration between Earth Day Canada — a Quebec-based environmental organization — Fonds Éco IGA and participating IGA grocers. According to its website, EcoCharge plans to reach its initial goal of installing 100 fast-charging stations in 50 IGA parking lots this year. It missed that target in 2022.

Electrify Canada

• DC Fast Chargers: 124 chargers, 31 stations
• Level 2: 0 stations 

Electrify Canada, a Volkswagen Group subsidiary, opened two new charging stations in 2022, in Revelstoke, B.C. and Sherbrooke, Que. Its network totals 124 chargers and 31 charging stations in four provinces: Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and B.C. 

All Electrify Canada stations are made up of four DC fast chargers capable of speeds up to 150kW and 350kW.

The network aims to have over  100 charging stations with over 500 chargers across nine provinces by 2026. This will bring Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island into the fold.

“The additional charging stations will continue to focus on providing EV charging at strategic locations in metropolitan centres, along major highways and near popular amenities,” says a spokesperson for Electrify Canada in response to emailed questions from Electric Autonomy.

Electrify Canada currently has agreements with Volkswagen, Porsche and Lucid Motors. The deal offers complimentary fast charging to eligible drivers of the Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, the 2020 VW e-Golf and 2021 ID.4.

And, in 2022, the network launched Electrify Commercial. The new business unit provides expert solutions for businesses looking to develop EV charging programs.

Petro-Canada

• DC Fast Chargers: 108 chargers, 56 stations
• Level 2: 13 chargers, 7 stations 

Petro-Canada did not add any new DC fast chargers or Level 2 chargers to its network in 2022, a company spokesperson tells Electric Autonomy in an email statement. Instead, the company looked into improving the reliability of its coast-to-coast network along the Trans-Canada Highway.

“In 2022, as supply chains to source parts and the ability to deploy technicians for service calls improved, Petro-Canada focused on addressing immediate priorities we heard from customers,” says the spokesperson.

The network says it focused on hardware and digital capabilities and enhancing communications with EV drivers.

Petro Canada shared with Electric Autonomy the various changes it made to improve its networks. Some of these changes include:

• Working with vendors to increase the number of technicians and EV cars for testing to troubleshoot and make repairs;
• Improving the Petro-Canada EV app and processes so it’s clearer when chargers are available, in use or under repair; and
• Providing additional training to onsite staff at charging locations so they can help prevent or identify issues promptly (calling in maintenance tickets, resetting the units, clearing snow and puddles, maintaining a well-lit area, etc).

Shell Recharge Solutions

• DC Fast Chargers: 62 chargers, 26 stations
• Level 2: 5 chargers, 4 stations

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

The network has 26 DC fast-charging stations and 62 charging ports and four Level 2 stations and five ports, according to NRCan data.

Shell Recharge Solutions rebranded in 2022 to unify Greenlots and its European counterpart, NewMotion, under a single brand.

As part of the federal government’s EV Week in Canada last July, Shell received $3.95 million in funding from the federal and B.C. governments. The money is earmarked for the installation of 79 EV chargers at 37 Shell retail locations along major travel corridors between B.C. and Ontario.

The chargers have speeds of 50 kW.

Shell also conducted a six-month pilot project with Uber in 2022-2023. The pilot provided charging exclusive stations to drivers of the Uber platform at discounted prices in B.C.

The first 120kW fast-charging station opened in Burnaby in August 2022. In total, there are six charging ports as part of the pilot project.

SWTCH Energy

• DC Fast Chargers: 32 chargers, 16 stations
• Level 2: 2,969 chargers, 2,969 stations

In 2022, SWTCH Energy added 16 DC fast-charging ports and 1,617 Level 2 ports across Canada, according to a company spokesperson. Two of its DC fast chargers have speeds of over 100 kW.

As part of its expansion strategy, the Toronto-based network tells Electric Autonomy, “We plan to add 5,000 Level 2 ports and 250 DC fast-charging ports across North America in 2023.”

In 2022, SWTCH entered into a new roaming agreement with Electric Circuit to make their charging stations and apps interoperable. Electric Circuit also has existing deals with national network operators FLO and New Brunswick’s eCharge network.

SWTCH also provides home and business-based charging stations.

Provincial/Regional Networks

The Electric Circuit (Le Circuit électrique)

• DC Fast Chargers: 728 stations
• Level 2: 3,119 stations 

Hydro-Québec’s charging network, the Electric Circuit (Le Circuit électrique), provides one of the most extensive charging networks in Quebec.

With 180 DC fast charging ports installed in 2022, the Electric Circuit has a total of 728 DC fast chargers in its network, says a network spokesperson in an email to Electric Autonomy. Of those, 200 chargers have speeds of 100 kW.

The network is trialling fast charging in several locations including two 125 kW stations at Porte-Du-Nord, a 160 kW station and a 350 kW station in Magog. There are also two stations sharing a maximum of 350 kW, reserved for medium and heavy-duty trucks as part of a pilot project in Laval.

This year, a spokesperson for the Electric Circuit tells Electric Autonomy, the network will officially roll out more fast chargers. In all, it plans to add 225 DC fast chargers to its network in 2023. Almost half will be 120 kW and 180 kW speed chargers.

This year, the Electric Circuit is looking at new urban charging solutions. These will cater to users in cities where many condo-dwelling residents don’t have access to home charging.

“In addition to curbside chargers which are being deployed by the City of Montreal, we will be testing charging hubs, where we will work with partners who have parking lots that are unused at night, to let residents of the area leave their car there for overnight charging,” says the spokesperson.

The Electric Circuit also operates a network of Level 2 chargers. They are owned and installed by municipalities and businesses.

The Electric Circuit oversees a grant program to accelerate the deployment of Level 2 chargers in cities. Electric Circuit estimates that they will “likely” see between 800 and 1,000 new Level 2 chargers installed this year by its partners across Quebec.

Ivy Charging Network

• DC Fast Chargers: 144 chargers, 56 stations
• Level 2: 32 chargers, 26 stations

The Ivy Charging Network is a joint venture between Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One. In 2022, the company added 77 new DC fast-charging ports to its network, says a spokesperson in an email to Electric Autonomy.

Ivy, with its partners Canadian Tire and Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, installed charging stations at 18 ONroute rest stop locations along Ontario’s Highways 401 and 400 in 2022.

Each of Ivy’s ONroute Charge & Go sites has two to four chargers.

The network plans to install more than 80 DC fast chargers across all 23 ONroute locations by 2025, with the possibility of future expansion, according to the ONroute website.

BC Hydro EV

• DC Fast Chargers: 130 chargers, 81 stations
• Level 2: 2 chargers, 2 stations

British Columbia’s BC Hydro EV charging network added 36 DC chargers to its public fast charging network in 2022, says a BC Hydro spokesperson in an email to Electric Autonomy. The network was aiming to install 140 DC chargers by the end of 2022. It came close to that goal with 130 chargers.

No Level 2 chargers were added to the network, as BC Hydro is instead focused on adding 100 kW or higher fast chargers across its network, says the spokesperson. It currently has eight 100 kW charging units operational.

To support the province’s growing volume of EV drivers, BC Hydro tells Electric Autonomy that it is looking to have 325 DC fast chargers in its network by the end of 2025. It is also increasing the density of fast charging in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island with multi-port sites (minimum 4 ports), while continuing to extend the geographic coverage of its chargers across the province.

The spokesperson adds that they are also working toward completing accessibility upgrades to a dozen charging sites.

Parkland (On the Run)

• DC Fast Chargers: 84 ports, 42 stations

Parkland is one of Canada’s largest fuel distributors and retailers. In 2021, it announced plans to build an initial network of fast-charging stations at 25 locations across B.C. and Alberta. Then, in late 2022, it said it will be doubling the size of its EV charging network to 50 locations in the two provinces.

To date, the network has installed 42 DC fast-charging stations with 84 charging ports. Stations 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.

Over the next 12 months, Parkland says it plans to add 40 new DC fast chargers to its network.

EV Connect

• DC Fast Chargers: 60 chargers
• Level 2: 200 chargers

California-based charging provider EV Connect expanded its network into Canada in April 2021 and has since installed around 200 Level 2 chargers and 60 DC fast-charging stations across the country, says a spokesperson to Electric Autonomy.

In 2022, the company was bought by Schneider Electric, an energy management and automation company. EV Connect says in a press release that becoming part of Schneider will enable it “to accelerate its growth, support customers and empower energy companies by optimizing EV charging infrastructure.”

eCharge Network

• DC Fast Chargers: 27 chargers, 27 stations
• Level 2: 76 stations

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

In 2022, no new chargers were installed by the network, says a spokesperson for NB Power in an email to Electric Autonomy. However, in 2023, four new DC fast chargers sites are being rolled out. Two sites will have 50 kW DC fast chargers and two will have 100 kW chargers. Each site will also include one Level 2 charger.

Continued network expansion relies on infrastructure funding programs. NB Power says it will continue applying for funding and invest in the network based on the funding programs that are available this year.

“As NB Power has been directed by the EUB [New Brunswick Energy & Utilities Board] to not use ratepayer income on EV charging infrastructure, we rely on successful funding applications to continue developing the network,” says the spokesperson.

Alimentation Couche-Tard/ Circle K Recharge

• DC Fast Chargers: 21 chargers, 6 stations

Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard is another new provider in Canada’s EV charging landscape, launching its North American EV fast-charging network in 2022. The convenience store and fuel retailer giant, which also owns and operates the Circle K store brand, already has an extensive EV charging footprint in Norway.

To date, the Canadian portion of the North American network is limited to Quebec, with the first station opening in Ange-Gardien last June. However, a spokesperson for Couche-Tard tells Electric Autonomy the company is planning to roll out charging at 200 Couche Tard and Circle K branded-store locations “before the end of the calendar year 2024, where Canada is an important market.”

The company declined to give any more specifics. According to a statement on Couche-Tard’s website, three charging stations in Quebec and two charging stations in B.C. are “coming soon.”

Co-op Connect

• DC Fast Chargers: 16 stations

Co-op Connect did not respond to Electric Autonomy’s request for comment for this story. 

Federated Co-operatives Ltd. launched the Co-op Connect network in 2021, installing 12 fast-charging stations at its service stations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. According to the company’s website, it added four more fast-charging stations in 2022. Each station has chargers with speeds of 100 kW.

Electric Autonomy has previously reported that the company plans to expand its networking of charging stations into B.C.

The Co-op Connect does not appear as a distinct network in NRCan’s tally of Canadian public charging networks.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

• DC Fast Chargers: 14 chargers, 14 stations

The first public network of 14 DC fast-charging stations in Newfoundland and Labrador was completed by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro in April 2021. The chargers are located along the Trans-Canada Highway from St. John’s to Port aux Basque. And one charger is located at Gros Morne National Park.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Network does not appear as a distinct network in NRCan’s tally of Canadian public charging networks.

takeCHARGE Electric Vehicle Charging Network

• DC Fast Chargers: 10 chargers, 10 stations
• Level 2: 10 chargers, 10 stations

The takeCHARGE Electric Vehicle Charging Network is a joint venture between Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. It launched in July 2022 with funding of over $1 million provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative (EVAFIDI) and Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP). 

In the press release announcing the launch of the network, the two utility providers said they planned to install 19 charging sites, with 38 charging ports by the end of 2022. However, according to the takeCHARGE website, only 10 charging stations have been installed to date. The remaining nine are said to be “coming soon.”

ChargePoint will be the network’s equipment and software supplier.

Chargers in the takeCHARGE network will be installed in communities including Bonavista, St. Mary’s, Lewisporte, St. Anthony and Labrador City.

The takeCharge Network does not appear as a distinct network in NRCan’s tally of Canadian public charging networks.

Toronto Parking Authority

• DC Fast Chargers: 8 chargers
• Level 2: 108 chargers

The Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) is the largest municipally owned commercial parking operator in North America. It announced earlier this year that it will be operating its own charging network in Toronto.

There are currently eight chargers with speeds of 50 kW and 108 Level 2 chargers in the TPA network, says a spokesperson to Electric Autonomy. The company will be adding 175 off-street chargers and 50 on-street chargers later this year.

The TPA also took over the operations and maintenance of 47 on-street chargers in the Toronto residential and downtown areas. These chargers were originally installed by Toronto’s Transportation Services Division, in partnership with Toronto Hydro.

By 2025, TPA expects to have more than 650 EV chargers (both Level 2 and DC fast chargers) in off-street and on-street locations.

The spokesperson says the company is looking to engage with one or more corporate partners to invest in the buildout and/or operation of the EV charging network.

The Toronto Parking Authority Network does not appear as a distinct network in NRCan’s tally of Canadian public charging networks.

Hypercharge

• DC Fast Chargers: 3 chargers, 3 station
• Level 2: 678 chargers, 250 stations

Hypercharge is a B.C.-based smart charging solutions provider that has a total of 250 public charging stations as part of its network, says the company’s spokesperson to Electric Autonomy.

The majority of the chargers have speeds of 50 kW. The network plans to install four new DC fast chargers with speeds of 120 kW.

For 2023, Hypercharge is aiming for a “rapid expansion trajectory,” says the spokesperson. Recently in March, the company entered into its first roaming agreement with Electric Circuit.

“We’re working diligently on further roaming agreements as we believe a seamless charging experience among the public networks will reduce barriers to EV adoption,” says the spokesperson.

Hypercharge does not appear as a distinct network in NRCan’s tally of Canadian public charging networks.

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 comment for this story. 

In 2022, the Florida-based charging and service provider expanded its business operations globally by acquiring charging networks SemaConnect from the United States, Blue Corner in Belgium and EB Charging in England.

Blink announced in a press release that it “rebuilt Blink Network with market-leading architecture and responsiveness capable of meeting the [company’s] needs.” It also launched the Blink Charging Mobile App, designed to make the charging experience easier and more accessible.

Blink’s presence in Canada continues to be small. It has just one DC fast-charging station, located in Quebec.

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 comment for this story. 

The company sells Level 2 charging equipment directly to its customers for both public and home charging. Per NRCan data, Sun Country only has four chargers at three locations. However, according to its website, the company says it “is responsible for deploying thousands of EV Charging Stations throughout North America.”

Last year, Sun Country partnered with Honk, a provider of contactless payments for parking to create an end-to-end paid EV charging solution.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to include data for the Hypercharge public charging network.