Category: Canada

  • Updates on Canada’s Upcoming Largest Supercharger Site

    Updates on Canada’s Upcoming Largest Supercharger Site

    Construction started in May 2025, and nine months later, the site is still not open. It was supposed to open on January 23, 2026, but has been delayed because of ongoing issues with the local utility provider, Elexicon Energy.

    It’s disappointing that despite it being months since we posted about this site nearing completion, it’s still sitting idle.

    This is what it looked like then:

    This is what it looks like now (photos taken Feb 17, 2026). Site is covered in snow and still fenced up:

    We’ve learned a few new things, though. This site is Starlink-connected:

    And it will feature multiple accessible parking spots:

    Over the winter, on cold days, the older, smaller existing Supercharger nearby was running well beyond capacity. This new site is badly needed, and hopefully, Elexicon Energy can speed things up and finally get it energized.

  • Rivian R2 Delayed in Canada: What It Means for Buyers

    Rivian R2 Delayed in Canada: What It Means for Buyers

    Deliveries of the Rivian R2 were supposed to start this year, 2026, but will now begin in 2027 for the Canadian market. Rivian quietly updated the R2’s page on its Canadian website this week, notably removing the initial estimated delivery year and starting price of $66,500 CAD.

    The website indicates that more details will be revealed on March 12th of this year, but this delay does not seem like good news for the Canadian market.

    When Rivian initially revealed the vehicle in March 2024, they set that $66,500 CAD price target alongside the 2026 launch date. Since then, the economic landscape has drastically changed. The ongoing U.S.-Canada trade dispute has resulted in Canada imposing a 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S.-made vehicles. In the current environment, it is highly unlikely Rivian could have hit their original target price if they launched the R2 in Canada this year.

    The R2 is positioned to directly compete with the Tesla Model Y, which currently starts at $49,990 in Canada. Tesla has a massive advantage when navigating these trade wars: global manufacturing scale. To avoid both the 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs (though these tariffs will be reduced to 6.1% for a set quota of imports) and the 25% tariff on U.S.-made EVs, Tesla is currently shipping Canadian Model Y inventory directly from Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg in Germany, leveraging Canada’s free trade agreements with Europe.

    Hopefully, Rivian can find a solution and remain competitive.

  • Canada publishes list of approved cars eligible for $5,000 Rebate

    Canada publishes list of approved cars eligible for $5,000 Rebate

    The Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP) launches on February 16, 2026, and the list of new cars eligible to receive either a $5,000 (fully electric cars) or $2,500 (plug-in hybrids) rebate has been made public.

    EVs ($5,000 Rebate):

    • Chevrolet Bolt
    • Chevrolet Equinox EV
    • Dodge Charger
    • Fiat 500e
    • Ford Mustang Mach-E
    • Hyundai Kona EV
    • Toyota bZ
    • Hyundai Kona EV (updated Feb 18th, 2026)
    • Kia Niro EV (updated Feb 18th, 2026)
    • Kia EV4 (updated Feb 18th, 2026)
    • Nissan Leaf (updated Feb 18th, 2026)
    • Subaru Uncharted (updated Feb 19th, 2026)
    • Volkswagen ID.4 (updated Feb 20th, 2026)
    • Kia EV6 (updated Feb 20th, 2026)

    PHEVs ($2,500 Rebate):

    • Chrysler Pacifica
    • Ford Escape
    • Toyota Prius Prime
    • Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (updated Feb 18th, 2026)
    • Kia Niro PHEV (updated Feb 18th, 2026)
    • Kia Sorento PHEV (updated Feb 18th, 2026)
    • Kia Sportage PHEV(updated Feb 18th, 2026)

    The Canadian government will continue to update the list. It is important to note that not all cars on the above list will qualify. The rebate is trim-dependent, and the Final Transaction Price must be under $50,000.

    Exception: Vehicles manufactured in Canada (like the Dodge Charger and Chrysler Pacifica) are exempt from the price cap.

    Final Transaction Price is defined as including the following:

    • Base price of the vehicle trim (inclusive of incentives or discounts offered by vehicle manufacturers or dealerships)
    • Optional features, add-ons, and packages
    • Accessories included at delivery
    • Manufacturer or dealership fees

    It is also interesting to note that the Nissan LEAF, which has an MSRP of $44,998, does not currently make the list. Neither does the Tesla Model Y, which starts at $49,990.

  • Richmond Hill, ON — 24-Stall Tesla Supercharger Under Construction

    Richmond Hill, ON — 24-Stall Tesla Supercharger Under Construction

    Construction is now underway on a new 24-stall Tesla Supercharger at RioCan Elgin Mills Crossing, just a few minutes west of Highway 404 on Elgin Mills Road East in Richmond Hill.

    The site will feature V4 dispensers paired with V3 cabinets, enabling charging speeds of up to 325 kW per vehicle. Installation of the cabinets and pedestals is already mostly complete, and crews are progressing quickly through electrical, conduit, and surface work. While construction could wrap up before year-end, utility connection and commissioning will likely extend into early (possibly mid) 2026.

    Utility connections are outside Tesla’s control and can sometimes take even longer. Several other Supercharger installations across the GTA have been waiting months for grid hookup, underscoring one of the main bottlenecks in Ontario’s EV infrastructure rollout.

    RioCan Elgin Mills offers a wide selection of nearby amenities — including Astoria Shish Kebob House, Pi Co. Pizza, Sunset Grill, Paris Baguette, Osmow’s, and Chatime — making it a convenient stop for both local and long-distance charging. For drivers staying longer or looking to shop while they charge, Costco and Home Depot are close by.

    Once complete, this will be one of the largest Superchargers in York Region, reflecting Tesla’s continued focus on building for peak demand in high-traffic corridors. Planning and developing large, well-placed charging hubs like this is exactly what Tesla’s Supercharging team does best.

  • ID.Buzz discounted $21,000 in Canada

    ID.Buzz discounted $21,000 in Canada

    Volkswagen has dramatically reduced the price of the ID.Buzz, making it far more competitive for the Canadian market. The RWD 7-seat version now starts at $59,640, while the AWD 6-passenger model begins at $65,140 after a huge $21,000 discount. This discount is specifically for customers looking to purchase a new ID.Buzz with cash or by securing their own financing.

    This limited-time offer applies through October 31, 2025, marking one of the steepest manufacturer discounts we’ve seen on a new electric vehicle in Canada this year.

    Two Tiers of Savings

    Volkswagen Canada is offering two tiers of savings depending on how the vehicle is purchased:

    • $21,000 off when paying cash or using third-party financing.
    • $6,000 off plus 0% financing for up to 60 months when financed directly through Volkswagen Financial Services.

    How does it compare?

    It’s now directly priced to compete with families deciding between the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV9, and Hyundai Ioniq 9. All three of these competing models fall within a similar price range but offer slightly different packages — with the Tesla Model Y being the only one currently limited to five seats. The ID.Buzz, meanwhile, offers the largest interior space for the money, making it a strong choice for those prioritizing room and practicality.

    The Future of ID.Buzz in Canada

    Seeing an ID.Buzz in Canada — even in EV-friendly cities like Toronto or Vancouver — is still extremely rare. However, Volkswagen is likely to significantly boost sales with this price adjustment. If it can remain this competitive on pricing, we’ll likely see many more of these fun, nostalgic vans cruising Canadian roads in the coming year.

  • Electrify Canada Opens First New Location in Years in Ontario

    Electrify Canada Opens First New Location in Years in Ontario

    Electrify Canada has blessed Ontario with a long-overdue fast-charging site in Owen Sound — the first new location in years for the network in the province. Fortunately, they chose a spot that genuinely needed coverage, making this the fastest charger in the area.

    The new site includes:

    For EV drivers (other than Tesla drivers, since there’s already a Supercharger in town) across Grey Bruce County and the Georgian Bay area, this station fills a huge gap in fast-charging coverage. Until now, longer trips through the region could feel like rolling the dice on range — especially for visitors heading up to Tobermory.

    With this move, Electrify Canada is showing it hasn’t completely ghosted Ontario expansion. Still, their overall ambitions remain questionable. This Owen Sound site, for example, has been under construction since 2022. Meanwhile, major travel corridors remain uncovered: there’s still nothing in Muskoka, Huntsville, Parry Sound, or northern Ontario. Even busy routes like Kingston–Oshawa and Hamilton–Niagara Falls are ignored.

    The hope is that Owen Sound marks a turning point rather than a one-off. Canada’s growing EV fleet needs more than Tesla’s mushrooming Supercharger network — and Electrify Canada still has a big role to play if it wants to stay relevant.

    It’s also worth noting that Electrify Canada is one of the most expensive charging networks in the province, at $0.79/kWh (including tax). By comparison, Tesla’s Supercharger in town costs $0.46/kWh (Tesla lists prices with tax included). For Tesla drivers, Electrify Canada would cost almost twice as much. At present, Electrify Canada appears to have little interest in competing on price or attracting a wider customer base. For most drivers, this station should be treated as an emergency option given the steep rates — unless the company reconsiders its pricing strategy in the future..

  • Model 3s Sold in Canada Come With Free Lifetime Supercharging

    Model 3s Sold in Canada Come With Free Lifetime Supercharging

    Back in August, Tesla added a rare perk for Canadian buyers: lifetime free Supercharging on in-inventory Model 3s.

    What the deal looks like

    Pick up a Model 3 that’s already in Tesla’s Canadian inventory (demo cars count too) and you’ll get unlimited lifetime Supercharging included. That means any Tesla Supercharger in North America is fair game — whether you’re driving across Ontario or road-tripping down the U.S. East Coast.

    The fine print:

    • Works for your account only (not transferable if you sell the car).
    • Personal use is fine, but using it for rideshare or delivery? Tesla could pull the perk.
    • Not offered on custom factory orders, just what’s in stock.

    Why is Tesla offering this perk?

    Tesla hasn’t been moving many Model 3s lately, especially given how the brand is currently perceived in Canada. Free lifetime Supercharging helps clear inventory while making the Model 3 more attractive compared to rivals.

    How Much Could You Save?

    Supercharging prices in Canada and the U.S. vary, but $0.33–$0.42 CAD per kWh is a fair ballpark.

    Let’s run a quick example:

    • Typical annual driving: 20,000 km
    • Average Model 3 efficiency: ~150 Wh/km (0.15 kWh/km)
    • Energy used per year: ~3,000 kWh

    If you relied mostly on Superchargers, that’s:

    3,000 kWh × $0.38 CAD = ~$1,140 per year

    Stretch that over 8 years of ownership and you’re looking at roughly $9,000 in fuel savings — and that’s before electricity rates creep up.

    Realistically, most owners mix home charging with road trip charging, so maybe you only save half that. Even then, ~$4,500 CAD is nothing to sneeze at.

    Good deal?

    All colors are also included/free for in inventory Model 3s. If you are considering a Model 3, this might be a good time to pick one up.

  • Canada’s Largest Supercharger Site Is Almost Complete!

    Canada’s Largest Supercharger Site Is Almost Complete!

    Ajax, Ontario will soon be home to Canada’s largest Supercharger site, featuring 44 V4 stalls. Construction, which began in May 2025, is now in its final phase. Crews are completing inspections, utility connections, and last-minute site work before the station can officially open.

    JML Electric, the contractor responsible for building the site, has been documenting progress on Instagram throughout the year.

    Construction Timeline (via JML Electric):

    May 29, 2025

    June 5, 2025

    June 8, 2025

    June 20, 2025

    August 10, 2025

    August 11, 2025

    August 13, 2025

    August 15, 2025

    August 18, 2025

    August 20, 2025

    August 21, 2025

    August 26, 2025

    What’s Next

    Tesla had previously listed Ajax among the Supercharger sites planned to open in 2025. However, even after construction wraps up, final activation can depend on local utilities, sometimes delaying a launch by several months or more.

    Still, if all goes well, the Ajax Supercharger should be operational by the end of 2025.

  • Old Model Y No Longer Available to Order

    Old Model Y No Longer Available to Order

    Tesla has updarted the Model Y’s order page to list only the newly refreshed version of the vehicle.

    The only trim currently available for order is the “First Edition,” which comes fully loaded with every available option—except for the white interior, which is already sold out.

    For those interested in purchasing the previous (pre-update) Model Y, the only way to do so is through Tesla’s existing inventory. These older models are also being offered at significant discounts, making them an appealing option for buyers looking for a deal.

    Tesla has not yet announced when or at what price additional trims of the refreshed Model Y will become available.

  • IVY – Canada’s Worst Charging Network

    IVY – Canada’s Worst Charging Network

    British Columbia has BC Hydro EV, Quebec has Electric Circuit, and unfortunately, Ontario has IVY. Like poison ivy, it leaves you irritated and wondering why you even went near it in the first place.

    IVY is a joint venture between Hydro One (majority-owned by the Province of Ontario) and Ontario Power Generation (OPG), a provincial crown corporation. In theory, these companies should have everything they need to build a great network. Yet somehow, IVY’s charging stations manage to have almost nothing going for them.

    1. The Pricing is Ridiculous. $0.62 per kWh.
      • At $0.62 per kWh, IVY is essentially the most expensive network in Ontario, with the possible exception of Electrify Canada. However, Electrify Canada offers a subscription that reduces the price to below $0.62/kWh, and in Toronto, even without a subscription, it’s cheaper than IVY.
      • When something is expensive, it should at least deliver a good experience. But IVY manages to be expensive, unreliable, and frustrating.
    2. They Are Unreliable
      • The comments on PlugShare speak for themselves. Users frequently report issues with broken chargers, poor customer service, and failed charging sessions.:
    3. Many Chargers Are Only Rated For 50 kW
      • Many, if not most, of IVY’s chargers or dispensers max out at just 50 kW. In today’s EV market, where faster charging speeds are becoming the norm, this is unacceptably slow.
    4. Chargers Labeled 100+ kW Rarely Deliver Those Speeds
      • Even chargers labeled as 100 kW or higher often fail to deliver anywhere near their advertised speeds. For instance, on a 100 kW charger, my Tesla—one of the most popular EVs in Ontario—typically only reaches 66 kW. On one rare occasion, I managed to hit 88 kW.
      • This was with a preconditioned battery and a low state of charge, yet IVY still underperformed.

    A History of Decline

    Unfortunately, IVY doesn’t seem to be improving. In fact, it used to be cheaper to charge when they billed by the minute instead of per kWh. Back then, the network was far more affordable.

    What Needs to Change

    IVY desperately needs a management overhaul and a complete rethink of its approach to EV charging. If the Province of Ontario genuinely wants to encourage EV ownership, this is not the way to do it.