Canadian Tire Gas+ ONroute sites to feature new electric vehicle charging stations

Ontario is bringing electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers directly to the province’s busiest highways with the deployment of Ivy Charging Network chargers at all ONroute Canadian Tire Gas+ locations.

"ONroute is proud to take this step towards sustainability, as we partner with Ivy and Canadian Tire to bring charging stations to our plazas," Melanie Teed-Murch
CEO of ONroute, said in a release. "With a customer-obsessed focus, we want ONroute to be the recharge destination along every journey. That is why we are focused on supporting the growth of electric cars, and bringing new services to our customers."

ONroute operates 23 service centres along Hwys. 401 and 400. Ivy’s fast chargers will be at 17 ONroute locations in time for summer 2022, while three additional sites (King City, Barrie and Innisfil) will by the end of the year. Chargers at the last three sites (Maple, Ingersoll and Newcastle) are expected to open between 2023 and 2025 as part of planned renovations at the sites.

“Ontario is putting shovels in the ground to build critical infrastructure including highways,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “Our agreement with Ivy, ONroute and Canadian Tire to construct EV chargers at all of the province’s 23 ONroute stations is an important step forward, allowing EV owners to travel our great province with more freedom and confidence. This deployment will reduce barriers to EV ownership, supporting Ontario’s growing EV manufacturing market and critical minerals sector, and help achieve Ontario’s goal of building at least 400,000 electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030.”

Currently, Canadian Tire has fast chargers at 83 locations across the country, including Canadian Tire Retail stores and ONroute locations. By the end of 2022, the retailer aims to have a total of 140 sites across the country.

"Together with our partners, CTC operates one of the largest retail networks of EV fast charging stations in Canada, and by the end of 2022, will see a total of 140 sites enabled across the country. We are excited to make life in Canada better for our EV customers travelling along the 400-series highway, adding to our commitment to provide convenient locations to serve the growing number of EVs in Canada," Micheline Davies SVP, automotive, Canadian Tire Corporation, said in a release. 

ONroute locations along Hwys. 401 and 400 are to have at least two EV chargers at each site, with busier sites equipped with more. The EV chargers will be available to all drivers on a pay-per-use basis and will serve all vehicle types.

“With more electric vehicles coming onto our roads each year, it’s vital that drivers have the ability to conveniently charge their vehicles along the province’s busiest highways,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “In addition to building new highways that will alleviate congestion in Ontario, the installation of Ivy Charging Networks at all ONroute locations is a big step forward to support EV owners.”

The goals is too make EV charging more accessible in Ontario, as demand grows: As of October 2021, there are 66,757 EVs registered in Ontario. By 2030, one out of every three automobiles sold will be electric.

“I welcome the news on a further expansion of electric vehicle charging across the province. This joint venture signals Ontario’s continued efforts to drive down emissions in the province, while making electric vehicles more accessible to Ontarians,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Increased charging across Ontario ONroute locations means more opportunities for clean, green transportation in the future.”