Ontario MPP renews fight to force EV-ready homes

An Ontario MPP is planning to try again to force developers to include electric vehicle chargers in new builds, after her first private member’s motion failed this spring. 

Despite attracting billions in electric vehicle (EV) investments, the Ford government rejected a proposal by NDP-MPP Jennifer French to mandate “rough-in” installations for EV chargers in new homes, citing concerns about increased building costs when she first proposed the legislation in June. 

Despite the defeat of her earlier motion, French remains hopeful about her next proposal, the EV-Ready Homes Act (Bill 199), introduced in May and yet to be debated. Similar to her previous motion, she’s determined to persuade the Ford government to support this proposal and ensure that new homes are equipped with the necessary infrastructure for future EV chargers. 

In her proposal, a “rough-in” involves setting up basic electrical infrastructure in garages, carports, or near driveways to facilitate future EV charger installations.

“Electric vehicles are the future, but we are not yet EV-ready,” French said. “New homes should be built with the future in mind. Installing home charging infrastructure can be expensive – but it’s far more cost effective when it is already roughed in.” 

She dismissed the government’s arguments against her proposals, noting that the cost of installing rough-ins is relatively low compared to the long-term benefits and the growing need.

Former Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne mandated EV chargers in the building code right before Doug Ford's Conservatives took office. Ford later removed the requirement after developers argued the $500 cost per house was too high.

“My suggestion is to put it back in the building code,” French said. “We have to create that EV-ready infrastructure, and I believe a large part of that is EV-ready homes.” 

Devin Arthur, director of government relations at the Electric Vehicle Society told Canada's National Observer that retrofitting homes for EV chargers after construction can be expensive, whereas incorporating them during construction is much more cost-effective. He explained that retrofitting an EV charger later can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the location of the electrical panel and the size of the existing service. In contrast, a “rough-in” during construction might cost only a few hundred dollars, saving significant time and money in the long run. 

Arthur said new regulations are needed to ensure that future homebuyers and residents are equipped to support EVs, especially in multi-residential buildings where the cost of retrofitting is significantly higher.  “We want to prepare the future buyers of these homes and even existing ones to be able to support EVs.”

Earlier this year, the Ford government introduced the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act as part of its ongoing efforts to accelerate the construction of at least 1.5 million homes by 2031. However, the mandate did not include any requirements for EV charger infrastructure in new homes.

Over the past three years, Ontario has attracted more than $27 billion in automotive and EV investments — yet, the Pembina Institute reports that Ontario has one public charger for every 25 EVs on the road, compared to the global ratio of one charger per eight EVs.

According to the Ontario Ministry of Energy, as of March 2024, there are more than 150,000 EVs registered in Ontario, including both battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). By 2030, more than one million EVs are expected to be on the road in Ontario.

Experts argue that without convenient charging options, many people are deterred from making the switch. They said expanding EV charging stations could significantly improve public perception and help Ontario achieve its goal of 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.

Arthur expressed his disappointment over the government’s decision to reject French’s bill, calling it a missed opportunity to prepare Ontario for a more sustainable future.

“They’re not saying every new home needs a full EV charging station,” Arthur said. “They just want the rough-in available so that it doesn’t cost them exponentially more after the fact to put one in.”

Canada’s National Observer reached out to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing but did not receive comments in time for publication. Minister Paul Calandra, who introduced the Build More Homes Act, told reporters at Queen’s Park keeping construction costs low is more important than mandating EV chargers. He suggested homeowners should decide on EV chargers themselves and highlighted the government's focus on reducing home-building expenses.

French told Canada’s National Observer she has received substantial support from industry, manufacturers, and both the private and public sectors. Making new homes ready for EV charger installation could encourage people to buy EVs, thereby supporting the broader market and ensuring that Ontario remains a competitive player in the emerging automotive industry.

“When I met with local utilities and different people in the energy world,” she noted, “they asked, ‘Why on earth are we not already doing this?’”