Electric Vehicles

Vehicles are the source of approximately 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-developing, with key stakeholders, an electric vehicle transition strategy for Toronto
  • developing an electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy
  • identifying best practices in electric vehicle preparedness planning in major North American cities to ensure equitable outcomes for all residents
  • launching quick start projects to test the implications of electric vehicle use for the local grid
  • exploring how electric vehicles could enhance community resilience

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). 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.

A number of EV charging stations are available for public use in Toronto. Some of these include a parking or transaction fee and some are only available at specific times/days of the week.

In addition, some EV charging stations in Toronto are restricted to owners of specific vehicle models and/or members of a specific organization.

Learn more about the publicly-available charging stations.

The City’s electric vehicle working group, with representation from City divisions, agencies and external organizations, is working to address issues such as charging station availability, the impact on the electricity grid, and the development of electric vehicle-friendly policies.

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