EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill enacts the Affordable Electric Vehicles and Accessible Charging Act, 2024. The Act requires the Minister of Transportation to establish an electric vehicle strategy that aims to increase the affordability of electric vehicles and the accessibility of charging stations. The Act also requires the Minister, as part of the development of the strategy, to consult with such persons, other levels of government and stakeholders as the Minister considers appropriate and to report annually on the actions taken as part of the strategy.

The Bill amends the Building Code Act, 1992 to provide that no person shall construct a building for residential occupancy unless they ensure that charging stations for electric vehicles are installed in accordance with the building code.

Bill 206 2024

An Act to establish an electric vehicle strategy and to make related amendments to the Building Code Act, 1992

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Definition

1 In this Act,

“Minister” means the Minister of Transportation or such other member of the Executive Council to whom the administration of this Act is assigned under the Executive Council Act.

Strategy

2 (1)  The Minister shall establish an electric vehicle strategy that aims to increase the affordability of electric vehicles and the accessibility of charging stations.

Content of strategy

(2)  The strategy shall,

  (a)  outline a plan to implement a network of charging stations for electric vehicles along highways and in communities across Ontario, including in underserved rural and remote areas;

  (b)  create a plan to make new and used electric vehicles more affordable by exploring rebates and other possible incentive programs; and

  (c)  implement a research and development program to advance the goal of supporting charging reliability, including the standardization of charging stations.

Regulations

(3)  The Minister may make regulations prescribing additional content to be included in the strategy.

Consultation

(4)  As part of the development of the strategy, the Minister shall consult, in the manner the Minister considers appropriate, with such persons, other levels of government and stakeholders as the Minister considers appropriate.

Publication

(5)  The Minister shall publish on a Government of Ontario website the electric vehicle strategy.

Annual reporting

3 The Minister shall, no later than 12 months after the day this Act comes into force and every year thereafter, publish on a Government of Ontario website a report on the actions taken as part of the strategy.

Building Code Act, 1992

4 (1)  The Building Code Act, 1992 is amended by adding the following section:

Electric vehicle charging

15 No person shall construct a building for residential occupancy unless they ensure that charging stations for electric vehicles are installed in accordance with the building code.

(2)  Subsection 34 (1) of the Act is amended by adding the following paragraph:

   6.  governing the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles;

Commencement

5 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

6 The short title of this Act is the Affordable Electric Vehicles and Accessible Charging Act, 2024.