CCIC: Canada charts its own course with auto strategy; potential to unlock billions in private charging investment

“Canada’s new automotive package could unlock billions of dollars in charging investment if implemented fully,” said Travis Allan, President and CEO of CCIC. “A Canadian vehicle emissions standard that achieves 75% EV sales by 2035 and 90% EV sales by 2040 will be a major step toward achieving a globally competitive automotive sector, provided that appropriate regulations are finalized in 2026.”

Analysis by CCIC indicates that billions of dollars will be required to meet the charging requirements of Canadian EV drivers if these regulations and investments are implemented, creating high paying electrical, civil and other good trades jobs in the Canadian EV charging space. Making EVs more accessible also helps Canadian families save money – an average of $1,650 per year – by adopting EVs.

The charging industry has and will continue to invest in Canada. Canada’s charging industry deployed over 2,000 public fast charging ports last year alone, an increase of over 30% in a record year for deployment and investment. While deployment slowed during recent months, a timely launch of new emissions regulations, combined with important investments in the package announced today, will be critical to crowding in additional private sector capital and getting investment back on track to meet the needs of Canadian families and achieve Canada’s EV sales objectives.

CCIC commends Canada on the launch of the $2.3 billion EV Affordability Program, starting at $5,000 for certain low cost or domestically manufactured battery electric vehicles.

“The government has listened to industry feedback that predictability and an orderly wind down for consumer incentives will help avoid market distortions and consumer disappointment. This announcement shows a pragmatic and predictable approach to policymaking that is highly welcome by business and will help Canadian families access EVs and save money” said Allan.

Canada has also announced $1.5 billion in funding to support the Canada Infrastructure Bank in catalyzing private investment in charging stations via its Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative, which can play a critical role in helping deploy charging infrastructure.

The automotive package builds on the important and widely popular decision to gradually increase the number of lower cost Chinese vehicles available to Canadian drivers, helping consumers access globally leading technology and, hopefully, marking the beginning of more global companies bringing jobs and investment to Canada’s highly attractive auto sector.

“CCIC’s members stand ready to support Canada in meeting its renewed EV ambitions and will work closely with our partners in government and industry to ensure Canada’s auto market achieves its EV adoption targets and remains globally competitive,” said Allan.

About CCIC
The Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council (CCIC)’s members represent over half the public EV charging sites in Canada. CCIC seeks to achieve a comprehensive and economically sustainable electric vehicle (EV) charging ecosystem and believes that this mission can be supported by providing governments and stakeholders with trustworthy, economically and technically sound advice and advocacy leveraging the expertise and experience of its members. CCIC is open to members that are involved in the EV charging industry including station owners, network and station operators from the public and private sectors, charging technology providers and suppliers, charging installers and maintainers and related infrastructure service providers and entities providing financing for charging station deployment and operation, including via credit transactions and project financing.

CCIC Communique de presse

September 26, 2025