OPG, Hydro One creating EV charger network; Feds investing $8M

Natural Resources Canada is investing $8 million in the project

TORONTO — On Feb. 14, utilities Hydro One Ltd. and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced the launch of Ivy Charging Network, a new company, which will create what the firms call Ontario’s largest electric vehicle fast-charger network.

Ivy’s 160 level 3 fast-chargers will be at 73 locations throughout southern, eastern and western Ontario, and its parent firms say Ivy’s locations will be less than 100 kilometres apart on average.

The charging network selected Greenlots, a member of the Shell Group and provider of electric vehicle charging and management solutions, as its service provider to operate and manage the network.

Ivy is a limited partnership owned equally by government-owned Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One, a publicly-traded former Crown corporation that owns the province’s largest electric grid.

“We play a critical role in energizing life in communities across Ontario. This fast-charger network will create a better and brighter future through a greener transportation sector while meeting the evolving energy needs of our customers and all Ontarians,” said Imran Merali, vice-president, Customer Service, Hydro One, and co-president of Ivy Charging Network, in a prepared statement. “By entering this growing market in partnership with OPG, Hydro One is expanding our product and service offering to deliver greater value for our customers, employees, communities and shareholders.”

“Having delivered the world’s largest single climate change action to date with the closure of our coal stations, OPG’s clean power serves as a strong platform to electrify carbon-heavy sectors like transportation,” said Theresa Dekker, vice-president, Corporate Business Development & Strategy for OPG, and co-president of Ivy Charging Network. “That’s why we’re so pleased to be partnering with Hydro One on an initiative that will broaden the benefits of electrification, providing a reliable, integrated network while ensuring no additional cost to ratepayers.”

According to the firms, as an unregulated business, Ivy can provide a new revenue stream for both companies while not affecting Ontario electricity rates.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), through its Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative, provided an $8 million repayable contribution to help build the network.

NRCan says this investment will help the federal government reach its target of 100% of passenger vehicle sales being zero emission by 2040, and is part of a larger $300 million investment to support the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of EV chargers — the department says it has provided support for more than 830 fast charging stations, which are either built or under construction.

Navdeep Bains, minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said, “Our government is committed to supporting innovative, green infrastructure projects that will bring us closer to a competitive, zero-emissions transportation sector. Today’s investment will ensure that Canadian made solutions are at the forefront of solving the global climate change crisis, leaving our children and grandchildren with a healthier planet and cleaner air to breathe.”