Decarbonizing the transportation sector to meet the ambitious goals outlined in Toronto’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy (TTO NZS) will require a robust, convenient, and reliable public electric vehicle (EV) charging network that supports other established city-wide sustainable transportation initiatives. The Approach to Public Electric Vehicle Charging presented in this report responds to the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy Short-term Implementation Plan (2022-2025) action: “The City will develop a strategy and plans to meet the 2025 targets in the Electric Vehicle Strategy for public charging infrastructure, and to ensure that sufficient public charging infrastructure will be in place to accommodate growth in Electric Vehicle ownership to 30 per cent of registered personal vehicles by 2030.” Toronto has started laying a foundation for its network by establishing zoning rules, parking regulations, and by-laws that help define the appropriate use of public space in relation to Electric Vehicle charging. Additionally, Toronto has installed Electric Vehicle charging stations at on-street parking spaces, in Green P parking lots, and at City facilities. The City also provides financing support to encourage charging in existing residential buildings through its BetterHomesTO program while requiring new residential and commercial buildings to install Electric Vehicle charging through the Toronto Green Standard. In 2021, Environment and Climate began work to understand how to increase Electric Vehicle uptake by directing its focus on identifying where publicly owned and operated Electric Vehicle charging would be needed to complement the existing privately operated and publicly accessible Electric Vehicle charging network and private at-home Electric Vehicle charging spots. As of June 2024, Toronto had 30,505 registered Electric Vehicles, roughly 2.8 per cent of the estimated 1.1 million registered passenger vehicles. With a goal of 5 percent of all registered vehicles being Electric Vehicles by 2025, the City will need to take a more proactive role in encouraging Electric Vehicle ownership. This report presents an approach to growing Toronto's existing public charging network by the City through its Divisions, Agencies and Corporations, drawing from extensive research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement completed in collaboration with several Divisions, Agencies and Corporations to prepare for Toronto's public charging needs. The Approach proposes a model of cross-corporate coordination to advance Electric Vehicle infrastructure asset planning until the year 2030 and clarifies the City’s role with respect to Electric Vehicle infrastructure provision based on initial technical analysis. The Approach to Public Electric Vehicle Charging to 2030 includes: - A City governance structure that optimizes City-owned assets (in the form of properties including lands and buildings) through a centralized approach led by the Environment and Climate Division, including financial planning of Electric Vehicle infrastructure assets. - A technical projection of future needs from a “demand- and utilization-driven perspective” using currently established public charging network information at a ward level to determine the placement of Electric Vehicle chargers. - A specific focus on equity through education and public charging station location prioritization of vehicle-for-hire (VFH) vehicles to ensure adequate and convenient access to public chargers for this industry. While the City alone cannot be solely responsible for the robustness of the public Electric Vehicle charging network, nor can the City financially incentivize residents to purchase Electric Vehicles, it can ensure that Toronto residents have reasonable access to charging with a consistent user experience. Relatedly, clear processes and communication on how residents can 'connect' to the Electric Vehicle charger whether a resident is a homeowner, renter, or condo dweller will also be critical for seamless operability. This includes minimizing barriers to access chargers by providing clear signage and wayfinding, advancing charger availability and reliability, and cost parity. Government-led public Electric Vehicle charging programs around the world demonstrate that success in building robust and effective Electric Vehicle charging networks is achieved when collaboration with diverse stakeholders is at the core of this type of infrastructure development, saving time, money, and avoiding unnecessary duplication and stranded assets. Key international examples showcase partnerships with private businesses who supply charging infrastructure and the technology to support it, commercial businesses who allocate spots for their customers and employees to charge their vehicles either at or near their businesses, local utility companies who are a first contact and can provide reliable advice and orientation to what would work best for residents' needs, and intergovernmental alignment on goals and incentives. The City can also, through its processes, policies, and incentives, encourage private sector investment in growing the Electric Vehicle charging network. A robust public Electric Vehicle charging network must include investments from both the private and public sectors. The City has a wide range of other transportation, city building, land use policies, programs, and infrastructure initiatives. These initiatives are either underway or planned to encourage and support the transition away from the use of fossil fuels and increase the use of more sustainable transportation modes such as public transit, walking and cycling, and zero emission vehicles, where required. This proposed approach supports the multiple options available to residents to travel carbon-free around the city now and into the future.
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