Electric Vehicles

Vehicles are the source of over one-third of Toronto’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Switching passenger, freight and transit vehicles from gasoline and diesel to electric and other low-carbon fuels is a central part of the City’s plan to reduce GHG emissions 80 per cent by 2050. The transition to electric and other low-carbon fuels will also significantly reduce local air pollutants that affect the health of Toronto residents.

To support the transition towards electric vehicles (EV), the City is working towards a number of objectives including:

  • co-develop, with key stakeholders, an Electric Mobility Strategy for Toronto
  • understand and address the barriers for EV adoption
  • establish a robust network of EV charging infrastructure
  • improve access and affordability of electric transportation to advance social equity
  • improve public health
  • support local innovation and create economic opportunities
  • explore how electric vehicles could enhance community resilience

Toronto’s Electric Mobility Strategy will serve as the roadmap to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the electrification of mobility.

The City is engaging the public and stakeholders through multiple workshops and events to help co-create the Electric Mobility Strategy.

June 27, 2019: Public Consultation

The purpose of this public engagement workshop was to provide the public an overview of preliminary work on the Strategy and give the public an opportunity to contribute to the Strategy’s final design and identify gaps or potentially inequitable social or health outcomes.

November 2018: Stakeholder Engagement Workshop

The purpose was to engage key stakeholders including the City’s Electric Vehicle Working Group (EVWG), industry, academic experts, electric vehicle owners, non-profit organizations and the community in initial conversations about collective electric vehicle goals and objectives and identify potential collaborations.

May 2018: Stakeholder Engagement Workshop

This was the first of multiple engagement sessions to include external stakeholders to support the development of a Toronto-wide Electric Mobility Strategy. Participants discussed and provided feedback on the draft Electric Mobility Strategy Framework.

Learn more: External Stakeholder Engagement Report (May 23, 2018)

Toronto’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, based on 1990 levels:

  • 30 per cent by 2020
  • 65 per cent by 2030
  • 80 per cent by 2050

Achieving these targets will require us to move towards more sustainable modes of transportation.

  • By 2050, 100 per cent of vehicles in Toronto will use low- or zero-carbon energy; 75 per cent of trips under 5 km will be walked or cycled.

The Electric Mobility Strategy will serve as the roadmap toward to capture emissions reductions potential through the electrification of mobility.

Learn more: Preparing Toronto for Electric Vehicles Report (2017)

Strategy Framework

The Electric Mobility Strategy Framework serves as a guideline for the development of the forthcoming Electric Mobility Strategy, which will describe specific actions that the City can take to enable electric mobility and maximize the co-benefits identified by TransformTO.

The Framework is the result of a collaboration between the Environment and Energy Division, the Electric Vehicle Work Group and feedback from an external stakeholder group.

Learn more: City of Toronto Electric Mobility Strategy Framework 

Assessment Phase

The City contracted Pollution Probe and The Delphi Group to lead the development of a comprehensive review of the current electric mobility landscape, existing policies, barriers and opportunities, best practice, convene key stakeholders and assess these findings to create a visual baseline. The assessment phase report will be used to inform the Strategy actions.

Learn more: Electric Mobility Strategy Assessment Phase Report

EV Charging Infrastructure Pilot Project

Council unanimously approved a one-year pilot project for 13 residential on-street EV charging stations in Trinity-Spadina (Ward 19), Toronto-Danforth (Ward 30), and Beaches-East York (Ward 32). Note: locations were based on the former 44-Ward Model.

If successful, the pilot will pave the way for a larger-scale roll-out of EV charging infrastructure in Toronto.

Read the Staff Report for more information.

Federal Zero-emission Vehicles (ZEV) Incentive

Effective May 1, 2019, the Federal Government of Canada will provide a purchase incentive for consumers who buy or lease an eligible ZEV.

Learn more at Transport Canada’s zero-emission vehicles page.