Coast-to-Coast Investments Help Canadians Drive Clean

OTTAWA, Jan. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are the future of transportation. As Canadians continue to make greener choices, our government is giving them more options to drive clean while supporting a cleaner environment.

The Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $120-million investment to expand the network of electric vehicle charging and alternative refuelling stations across the nation as part of the Government's efforts to encourage Canadians to reduce their carbon footprint.

The funding, which is part of Phase 2 of the Green Infrastructure Fund, will support the deployment of electric chargers; natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations; the demonstration of new, innovative charging technologies; and the development of codes and standards. Proposals are now being accepted for deployment and demonstration projects.

Today's announcement brings our total investment to $182.5 million. It builds on the success of the initial $62.5-million Phase 1 investment in 2017 that provided funding for more than 100 electric vehicle fast-charging stations, seven natural gas refuelling stations and three hydrogen refuelling stations across Canada. It is also funding 10 demonstration projects and the building of another 200 next-generation electric vehicle charging stations. A current list of all projects is available on the NRCan website.

The Government of Canada has also worked with our U.S. counterparts to create a Canadian version of their Alternative Fueling Station Locator map to ensure that all Canadian drivers and fleet owners have the most current information at their fingertips.

Through Canada's national energy dialogue, Generation Energy, Canadians made it clear that the transition to electric vehicles and lower-carbon fossil fuel alternatives is not a luxury but a necessity for Canada's low-carbon future. Our government continues to support green infrastructure projects that will create jobs, advance Canada's clean future and help us realize our domestic and international climate change goals.

Quotes

"These investments support the ingenuity of Canadian electric vehicle and alternative fuel companies. Green infrastructure is paving the way to a low-carbon future in both commercial and consumer markets."

Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

Associated Links

• Alternative Fueling Station Locator map
• Go green with electric vehicles
• Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstrations
• Generation Energy

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada