Aviva Canada has announced the start of the application period for the third edition of its “Charged for Change” initiative, aimed at bolstering public electric vehicle (EV) charging options in underserved communities across the country.
Following successful installations in 15 municipalities, the program’s latest funding round promises to expand access to EV infrastructure in communities with limited public charging options.
The program, launched in collaboration with Earth Day Canada, is backed by Aviva’s $3 million fund. It enables municipalities and Indigenous communities to seek financial support for setting up Level 2 EV charging stations. Interested applicants can apply online until February 20, 2025.
“We are thrilled to open applications for the third year of our Charged for Change program and are looking forward to helping even more Canadian communities install public EV infrastructure for their residents,” stated Pascal Dessureault, chief public affairs, marketing, and communications officer at Aviva Canada.
“We know that a lack of publicly available EV charging infrastructure can be a barrier to EV adoption and want to support Canadians, particularly those in communities with little to no access, in making the switch to an EV.”
The program began by awarding grants to seven municipalities in Ontario, financing 37 charging points across 16 locations. As of mid-September, these installations have collectively provided 2,600 charging sessions and 8,300 charging hours for EV drivers.
Aviva expanded its reach beyond Ontario in the program’s second year, funding EV charger installations in eight additional municipalities across Alberta, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. The installations are either operational or nearing completion in locations such as the Town of Okotoks and Ville régionale de Cap-Acadie.
Earth Day Canada’s executive director Valérie Mallamo noted the importance of ensuring EV access in smaller and rural communities, saying: “We know that access to public charging infrastructure is a key deciding factor for consumers considering the purchase of an EV.
“We also know that there is a disparity between levels of infrastructure in larger, urban centres versus smaller, often rural communities. Charged for Change hopes to level that playing field so that Canadians who want to make the climate-conscious decision to switch to an EV feel confident that it can meet their needs.”
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