Stricter Emissions Rules Are Worth $21bn in Chargers

CCIC research ties a stricter emissions standard to $7bn more in charging investment.

20 Jul 2026

New research from the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council finds that a stringent federal emissions standard for light-duty vehicles could direct 21 billion dollars into Canadian charging infrastructure through 2035. The policy brief, prepared by Sharabura EV Infrastructure Advisors, compares a target of 59 grams of carbon dioxide per mile against a weaker 115 gram alternative.

The stricter path delivers roughly 7 billion dollars more in investment over the decade. Under that scenario, the researchers project 10 billion dollars flowing into public charging, including DC fast chargers and Level 2 units, plus 11 billion dollars for residential Level 2 charging across single-family and multi-family housing. Between 50 and 65 percent of that spending, the council estimates, would support Canadian trades, suppliers and utilities rather than imported hardware.

A stronger standard also implies a much larger EV fleet. Researchers project more than 15 million battery electric vehicles on Canadian roads by 2040 under the stricter target, against just over nine million under the weaker one, alongside a wider gap in fast charging port counts nationwide.

Travis Allan, the council's president and chief executive, said private investors and property owners are ready to fund the buildout but need a reliable long-term signal on vehicle adoption first. With Ottawa still weighing where to set the final standard, the findings frame investment as a function of regulatory certainty rather than funding availability alone.