Electric vehicle (EV) drivers in Canada plugging into a charger don’t always know how much they are going to have to pay. Current regulations by Measurement Canada mean drivers pay by the minute. Since some cars can charge at faster rates than others, that means some owners pay less than others.
A more sensible approach would be to bill by the amount of energy actually consumed (like at a gas pump).
Last year Drive Tesla reported on Measurement Canada announcing it will be working with industry over an 18 month period to transition EV charging stations to a per kWhy billing method.
Now the Government of Canada is putting some money to make sure it happens. According to the official Budget 2021 document released earlier this week, a total of $56.1 million will be spent over 5 years on the initiative.
“Budget 2021 proposes to provide $56.1 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, with $16.3 million in remaining amortization and $13 million per year ongoing, to Measurement Canada to develop and implement, in coordination with international partners such as the United States, a set of codes and standards for retail ZEV charging and fueling stations. This would include accreditation and inspection frameworks needed to ensure the standards are adhered to at Canada’s vast network of charging and refueling stations.”
The government notes this bew billing method would provide regulatory certainty to EV charging providers, also saying it would help with the development of the charging network across the country.
Most importantly, it will also give EV drivers confidence to know what they’ll be paying when they plug in for a charge.
Source: Electric Autonomy via Mobile Syrup
