EV Charging Guide: Ontario
Ontario is Canada's largest EV market with rapidly expanding charging infrastructure. From the Ivy network along the 401 to urban ChargePoint stations across the GTA — here is everything you need to know about charging your electric vehicle in Ontario.
$0.08/kWh
Off-peak TOU rate
5,000+
Public charging stations
$5,000
Federal EVAP rebate (eligible vehicles)
-25°C
Tested for Ontario winters
Your Charging Options
Standard Outlet (120V)
Speed
5-8 km/hour
Cost
$0.08-0.17/kWh
Monthly Est.
$30-55/month
Best For
Overnight charging, short commutes under 50 km/day
Pros
Cons
Home Charger (240V)
Speed
30-50 km/hour
Cost
$0.08-0.17/kWh
Monthly Est.
$30-55/month
Best For
Daily driving, full charge overnight in 6-8 hours
Pros
Cons
DC Fast Charging
Speed
200-400 km in 30 min
Cost
$0.25-0.40/kWh
Monthly Est.
Pay per use
Best For
Road trips, emergency top-ups, no home charging
Pros
Cons
Charging Networks in Ontario
Ivy Charging Network
1,000+ stationsOntario's largest public network, 350kW fast chargers on highways
ChargePoint
800+ stationsNorth America's largest network, strong urban presence in GTA
FLO
500+ stationsPan-Canadian network with reliable Level 2 stations across Ontario
Petro-Canada
300+ stationsHighway corridor focus along 401/400-series, up to 350kW
Tesla Supercharger
200+ stationsNow open to non-Tesla EVs via CCS adapter, strong highway coverage
Monthly Cost: EV vs Gas in Ontario
Gas Car (20K km/yr)
$265
/month in gas
EV at Home (20K km/yr)
$45
/month in electricity
Annual Savings
$2,640
charging off-peak at ~$0.08 CAD/kWh (TOU rate)
Ontario Time-of-Use Tip
Ontario's electricity pricing rewards EV owners who charge smart. Set your EV to charge between 7 PM and 7 AM on weekdays or anytime on weekends/holidaysto pay the off-peak rate (~$0.08/kWh) — that's less than half the on-peak rate (~$0.17/kWh). Most EVs have built-in charge scheduling to automate this.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Ontario?
Ontario uses time-of-use (TOU) pricing. Off-peak (7pm-7am weekdays, all day weekends): ~$0.08/kWh. Mid-peak: ~$0.12/kWh. On-peak: ~$0.17/kWh. Charging a 60 kWh battery off-peak costs about $4.80 CAD. Monthly cost is typically $30-55 CAD for average driving — about 75% cheaper than gasoline.
Are there EV charger rebates in Ontario?
Ontario does not currently offer a provincial EV purchase rebate (the previous $5,000 rebate was cancelled in 2018). However, the federal EVAP rebate of $5,000 applies to eligible vehicles (made in Canada or FTA countries, MSRP under $50,000). Chinese EVs are not eligible for EVAP. Some utilities like Toronto Hydro offer overnight charging incentive programs.
Can I charge my Chinese EV at any station in Ontario?
Yes. All Chinese EVs coming to Canada (BYD, Chery, Zeekr) use the CCS charging standard, compatible with every public network in Ontario including Ivy, ChargePoint, FLO, and Tesla Superchargers.
How does winter affect EV charging in Ontario?
Cold temperatures reduce range by 20-30% and slow charging by 10-20%. Best practices: precondition your battery while plugged in, charge to 90% instead of 80% in winter, use a Level 2 home charger, and plan for longer stops on highway trips. Ontario winters are slightly milder than Québec, so range loss is moderate.