Backgrounder: Canada Expands Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in British Columbia
On August 27, 2025, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced nearly $22.7 million for eight projects aimed at improving electric vehicle (EV) charging availability in British Columbia.
Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program
The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) provides funding to support the installation of EV chargers and hydrogen refuelling stations across Canada. The program increases the availability of EV charging infrastructure in multi-unit residential buildings, at workplaces, on-street, at public places and where EV fleets are serviced.
Recipient: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Location: British Columbia
Funding amount: $5,000,000
Description: The proponent will install 65 fast chargers (50–99 kW), 18 fast chargers (100–199 kW) and four fast chargers (200 kW+) in community and corridor locations that have high demand for EV charging services.
Recipient: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Location: British Columbia
Funding amount: $4,985,000
Description: The proponent will install two Level 2 EV chargers, 74 Level 3 (50–99 kW) EV chargers and 17 Level 3 (100–199 kW) EV chargers.
Recipient: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Location: British Columbia
Funding amount: $4,980,000
Description: The proponent will install 67 EV fast chargers (50–99 kW) and 22 EV fast chargers (100–199 kW) in community and corridor locations that have high demand for EV charging services.
Recipient: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Location: British Columbia
Funding amount: $4,950,000
Description: The proponent will install 63 Level 3 EV chargers (50–99 kW) and 24 Level 3 EV chargers (100–199 kW) in community and corridor locations that have high demand for EV charging services.
Recipient: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Location: British Columbia
Funding amount: $1,880,000
Description: The proponent will install 38 EV chargers on main travel corridors in urban areas for public use throughout British Columbia. The project will deploy 33 Level 3 EV chargers (50–99 kW) and five Level 3 EV chargers (100–199 kW).
Recipient: City of Victoria
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Funding amount: $395,000
Description: To support the City of Victoria’s on-road vehicle fleets, the proponent will install 26 Level 2 EV chargers, one 20–49 kW Level 3 EV charger, two 50–99 kW Level 3 EV chargers and one 320kW Level 3 EV charger at and near municipal workplaces in Victoria.
Recipient: The Corporation of the District of Saanich
Location: Saanich, British Columbia
Funding amount: $350,000
Description: The proponent will install 40 Level 2 EV chargers and 2 EV fast chargers (100–199 kW) to support municipal operations and fleet electrification in Saanich.
Recipient: City of Victoria
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Funding amount: $122,500
Description: The proponent will install 22 Level 2 EV chargers and one Level 3 EV charger (20–49 kW) in community village centres in Victoria with a high density of multi-unit residential buildings where residents do not have at-home access to charging.