EVcharts

Category: Canada

  • 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.

  • Ontario’s First V4 Supercharger Opens

    Ontario’s First V4 Supercharger Opens

    The first V4 Supercharger in Ontario has officially opened in Ingersoll, ON, featuring 16 dispensers. However, V3 power cabinets are being used at this site, limiting the maximum output to 250 kW per dispenser. This location stands out as one of the fastest-built and activated Supercharger sites in Ontario in recent years.

    Typically, it takes many months—sometimes over a year—for a Supercharger site to become operational. In contrast, this site was first listed as under construction on November 12, 2024, and went live just over two months later.

    Charging costs at this location are notably high: Tesla owners are charged $0.67 CAD per kWh, while non-Tesla EVs pay $0.90 CAD per kWh. As of now, the Tesla app indicates that 4 out of the 16 stalls are out of order.

    Superchargers along this stretch of highway are frequently busy, making this new location a welcome addition. It is expected to help alleviate some of the congestion at the London, ON Supercharger.

  • iZEV: Canada’s $5,000 EV Rebate Program Paused

    iZEV: Canada’s $5,000 EV Rebate Program Paused

    As of January 12, 2025, the iZEV incentive program has run out of funds. The Government of Canada has posted the following update on its website:

    The Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program funds have been fully committed. Consequently, the iZEV Program has now officially paused. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions as they have been updated with regards to the Program’s pause. For additional questions, please write to [email protected].

    According to the updated FAQ, the program officially paused on January 12, 2025:

    The iZEV Program officially paused on January 12, 2025, as the allocated funds were fully committed.

    All authorized dealers and sellers enrolled in the Program have been formally notified of the Program’s pause.

    While the government refers to this as a “pause,” they have provided no details about when—or if—the program might restart:

    How long is the Program pause expected to last?

    Any updates to the Program will be posted on the Transport Canada website, and all authorized dealers and sellers enrolled in the Program will be notified.

    The Uncertain Future of the iZEV Program

    The Canadian Parliament is currently prorogued, making it unlikely that iZEV program funding will be replenished before Parliament resumes. Parliament is expected to reconvene on March 24, 2025. However, until a new federal budget is passed, funding for the program remains uncertain.

    Adding to the complexity, 2025 is an election year in Canada, which could further influence the government’s ability to allocate funds for iZEV.

    Impact on EV Sales in Canada

    In the short term, the pause is expected to negatively affect both EV affordability and sales in Canada. Electric vehicle sales experienced significant growth in 2024, fueled by the introduction of new EV models like the Chevrolet Equinox EV. However, with the suspension of the $5,000 rebate, the momentum in EV adoption may slow.

    Hopefully, this pause does not become permanent. For EV adoption to continue growing, support both from government incentives and the increasing availability of affordable models is needed.

  • $5,000 Canadian EV (iZEV) rebate is running out

    $5,000 Canadian EV (iZEV) rebate is running out

    The Government of Canada has announced that the iZEV rebate will be paused before the scheduled March 31, 2025, end date. The funds allocated to the EV rebate are expected to run out earlier due to high demand.

    The program has been a significant success, with the rebate being applied to 546,000 EV sales. Canada achieved a 14.2% market share for new ZEV sales in the first three quarters of 2024, a substantial increase from 3.1% in 2019.

    With the Canadian Parliament currently prorogued, it is unlikely that the iZEV fund will receive additional funding before it is depleted. The future of this program remains uncertain, and this will unfortunately impact EV sales in Canada.

    If you want to take advantage of the $5,000 rebate, you should consider purchasing a new EV soon.