As the federal government aims to phase out gas vehicles by 2035 and more electric models hit Toronto's streets, concerns about the availability and accessibility of charging stations are growing among drivers. Damon Runyan, residing in Toronto's east end, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the city's current infrastructure, citing the insufficiency of just two charging stations on his street and foreseeing potential overcrowding issues.
The City of Toronto has been proactive in developing a public electric vehicle charging strategy, gathering information through surveys to understand the demand for EV charging and considering the involvement of the private sector. James Nowlan, executive director of Toronto's environment and climate division, highlighted the importance of private sector participation in expanding charging infrastructure, especially in new apartment buildings and condos, now supported by the federal mandate.
Toronto, with 1 million vehicles on its roads and over 20,000 electric ones, recognizes the need for a substantial increase in charging stations. Plans include more than 150 additional charging stations on city streets by the end of the following year, complementing private chargers at malls and workplaces and those in city-run parking lots.
Teresa Di Felice from the Canadian Automobile Association emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive approach, considering the coexistence of gas stations and an extensive public charging network by 2035. Collaboration between governments and stakeholders will be crucial in establishing charging standards and addressing various factors involved in the transition to electric vehicles. Input from residents continues to be welcomed by the city, indicating ongoing efforts to address the evolving needs of electric vehicle owners.
Read more from the link below.
