Our round up of national electric vehicle news collected from around the web.
By Kirk Mathieson
iZEV Program paused by the Liberals – again
Last issue I reported on the Incentives for Zero Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program, having previously been halted in January of this year, was being re-instated by Ottawa. Now, however, it seems the Liberals have shifted gears yet again: Prime Minister Mark Carney announced in early September that his government is cancelling a mandate requiring 20 per cent of all vehicles sold in Canada by 2026 to be electric. He also announced a 60- day review of the iZEV program, likely with an eye to adjusting the target dates and numbers to more realistic levels.
This change comes on the heels of the recent federal election in April in which Carney outlined plans for an economic overhaul in response to a raft of US tariffs on Canadian goods. This includes the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, of which 80 million is earmarked for the Atlantic provinces to aid industries hardest hit by the tariffs.
The relief doesn’t come without a price tag, though. Carney indicated that other spending will be reviewed and possibly reduced or eliminated altogether to pay for the new initiatives – including, it seems, the iZEV program.
The program was launched in 2019 to offer rebates on electric vehicle purchases and help meet the government’s Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, which requires all new vehicles sold by 2035 to be electric or hybrid – a goal that now seems increasingly out of reach, with EV sales targets under review and fewer Canadians saying the are likely to invest in electric transportation in the near future.
Many fear that declining government and financial support for clean transportation could impact more than just vehicle purchases. Fewer EVs on Canada’s roads mean fewer incentives for businesses to install new charging stations or upgrade existing ones – an issue particularly relevant to northern communities and remote areas of the country where charging infrastructure is often sparse and more costly to maintain.
“Canadians need to know that there is charging infrastructure in place in order to choose electric vehicles,” says Travis Allan, President of the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council. “The Electric Vehicle Availability Standard provides critical information that allows charging companies to invest in new charging infrastructure and create the utilities that need to make the upgrades and investments that are needed to support the massive buildout in charging infrastructure that’s needed across Canada to get Canadians the benefits of electric vehicles.”
He pointed out that at least 130,000 jobs depend on the EV industry in Canada, with that number expected to increase to 600,000 by 2035.
While the relationship between climate policy and economics is a complex one with many intersecting factors, it is ultimately Canadian consumers who will decide the shape of the electric mobility landscape in the coming decades.
Tim Hortons partners with FLO to deliver extra jolts
As EV owners and industry leaders navigate changes to the EVAS program and other uncertainties around access and affordability, progress is being made in the form of partnerships between private companies and other stakeholders. In August, Tim Hortons announced a collaboration with FLO to install 100 fast chargers at Tim’s locations across Canada by the end of 2028.
“We’re thrilled to partner with FLO to make life a little easier for guests driving electric vehicles,” said Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons. “Whether it’s grabbing a coffee and a charge before work, or taking a break on a road trip, we want every Tim’s run to be convenient, welcoming, and a highlight of the journey.”
The charging stations will deliver up to 120km of driving range in as little as ten minutes.
Tim Hortons is the largest coffee chain in Canada, with more than 3500 locations across the country. When the project is completed, it will make Tim’s the largest restaurant provider of EV fast charging in Canada. Each of the 100 selected stores will have an average of four charging ports.
“This partnership with Tim Hortons marks a pivotal moment in making EV charging a seamless part of everyday life for Canadians,” said Louis Tremblay, President and CEO of FLO. “By investing ourselves in the installation of FLO Ultra chargers at trusted, well-visited locations, we are accelerating our strategic focus as an Own and Operate charging network operator and delivering the reliable infrastructure EV drivers need to confidently embrace their transition to electric mobility.”
Joint efforts like this one have helped to create a framework for solutions that focus on drivers and local economies rather than overarching mandates that don’t always fit with individual needs. With the government’s long-term zero emissions goals now under review and the iZEV initiative in limbo, it looks like a major strategy shift may be on the horizon.
Such a shift could employ a two-pronged approach – making the switch to electric both practical and financially feasible for Canadian drivers. In the last issue I wrote about the lower fuel and maintenance costs enjoyed by EV owners over the life of their vehicles. The last hurdle to overcome may be the higher initial price tag compared to gas-powered models. This is again an area where partnerships between public and private entities can play an important role.
As battery technology advances and charging networks continue to expand, we are slowly helping ourselves to a more sustainable future – one charge at a time.
Sources:
Carney announces $80M tariff relief fund for Atlantic Canada businesses | Watch
https://www.cpac.ca/headline-politics/episode/ev-industry-leaders-hold-a-news-conference–september-16-2025?id=a3c6f76c-f9d7-457c-9542-c7f881c82dd4 (Press Conference held on September 16, 2025)