TORONTO — Canadian Tire Corp. is planning to install nearly 300 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at 90 of its retail locations across Canada by year-end in a partnership with Services FLO Inc., Electrify Canada L.L.C., Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), and Tesla Inc.
The plan calls for the installation of 240 fast chargers and 55 Level 2 chargers, the partners said, with NRCan contributing C$2.7 million toward the initiative.
"Automotive is a heritage category for Canadian Tire, and we have always evolved to meet the needs of drivers," Andrew Davies, senior vice president, automotive, Canadian Tire Retail, said.
"With our premium real estate assets, we are able to provide convenient locations across the nation to service the growing number of EV vehicles in Canada."
The majority (36) of the stores targeted for an EV-charging station are in Ontario, Canadian Tire said.
According to Electric Mobility Canada, sales of electric vehicles jumped 25% in Canada in the third quarter of 2019. In recognition of this growth, Canadian Tire's assortment includes tires, wipers, and brakes products for 90% of electric and hybrid vehicles registered in Canada.
"We are proud to be working with a retailer like Canadian Tire to help bring EV mobility to drivers across Canada," Rob Barrosa, chief operating officer, Electrify Canada, said.
"This collaboration has been a natural fit from the very beginning — from the values Canadian Tire holds as an organization to the many convenient locations across the country. We are optimistic our efforts will only further the adoption of electric vehicles by all Canadians."
Seamus O'Regan, Canada's minister of natural resources, said, "The move towards more zero emission vehicles is an integral part of our transition to a clean energy future. Our government is proud to support Canadian Tire's network of EV NRCan provided C$2.7 million to Canadian Tire for 54 fast-chargers under its Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative. In 2016, the agency provided $1.3 million to AddÉnergie for 28 fast-chargers at Canadian Tire locations.
Canadian Tire operates 1,700 retail locations across the country.