CCIC Media Release: New Standard, New Investment: Strong Vehicle Emissions Rules Will Help Unlock More Than $20 Billion in Charging Infrastructure Investment Across Canada
August 26, 2026
New Standard, New Investment: Strong Vehicle Emissions Rules Will Help Unlock More Than $20 Billion in Charging Infrastructure Investment Across Canada
CCIC analysis finds a rigorous federal GHG emissions standard would attract $7 billion more in private clean-energy investment by 2035 than a weaker rule — but only if investors have long-term regulatory certainty
Canada is poised to attract $21 billion in investment in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) charging infrastructure between now and 2035 — one of the largest nation-building infrastructure opportunities in the country — if the federal government finalizes a strong greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standard for light-duty vehicles, according to a new policy brief released today by the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council (CCIC).
The analysis, prepared for CCIC by Sharabura EV Infrastructure Advisors, models charging infrastructure build-out under two regulatory scenarios and finds that $7 billion in additional infrastructure is likely to be built if Environment and Climate Change Canada finalizes emissions standards at an equivalent of 59 grams of CO₂ per mile by 2035.
In its analysis of Canada’s policy, the International Council on Clean Transportation flags that a stringency of 59 grams of CO₂ per mile by 2035 or less is required to deliver Canada’s federal target of 75% ZEV sales by 2035 and that this standard would need to be adjusted to be more stringent for any banked credits currently held by automakers. Currently, automakers are reported to possess over 30 million banked credits, meaning a downward adjustment could be significant.
The $7 billion difference in foregone clean-energy investment over the next decade hinges on a single factor, the strength and durability of the regulatory signal under Canada’s light-duty vehicle emissions standard.
“A rigorous, durable federal emissions standard is precisely the signal that can unlock billions in investment across Canada. Charging infrastructure is a major capital investment. Siting, permitting, connecting to the grid, and building a single site can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, and these projects are financed years ahead of the demand they serve,” said Travis Allan, President and CEO of the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council. “Private investors and property owners are ready to fund this $21 billion build-out — but financing the deployments Canada needs requires a reliable, long-term demand signal on ZEV adoption. Regulatory certainty is what converts targets into shovels in the ground.”
Key findings of the policy brief include:
- $21 billion in charging investment by 2035 under a strong standard — including $10 billion in public charging (DC fast charging and Level 2) and $11 billion in residential Level 2 charging across multi-family and single-family housing.
- $14 billion under a weaker standard — a $7 billion investment gap driven directly by fewer ZEVs on Canadian roads.
- A true nation-building project: between 50% and 65% of the investment flows to local skilled trades (electrical and civil), local suppliers, and utilities. This investment cannot be offshored — it will be spread across communities in every province and territory.
- Largely privately funded: the investment is expected to come principally from private-sector investors and property owners — provided charging networks receive reliable long-term demand signals, including rigorous federal GHG emissions standards that extend to 2035, the date of Canada’s EV sales target.
- Full alignment with federal priorities: either scenario advances the government’s Auto Strategy and National Electricity Strategy — but the stronger standard delivers substantially more investment, more charging ports, and more jobs.
More than one million Canadians have already made the switch to zero-emission vehicles, saving an estimated $23,000 to $32,000 over ten years of ownership according to estimates from Clean Energy Canada.
About the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council
The Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council / Conseil canadien de l’infrastructure de recharge (CCIC-CCIR) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the deployment of zero-emission vehicle charging infrastructure across Canada.
More Information
The full policy brief, A Strong GHG Emissions Standard Will Drive $20+ Billion in Charging Infrastructure Investment, is available at www.ccic-ccir.ca.
