TORONTO, ON — A third of trucks in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) could switch to electric models today — with that number growing if charging stations are built where they are needed most. A new report from the Pembina Institute, Locating Charging Stations, maps priority zones in the region for public electric truck and van chargers, offering a blueprint to guide smarter investments that accelerate the shift to electrification.
Rather than spreading chargers randomly across the region, the report calls for a data-driven phased approach that prioritizes high-impact areas first, followed by a broader rollout across the country. This targeted strategy can speed up EV adoption, reduce pressure on the grid and lower costs.
By analyzing traffic volumes, stop duration and stop frequency, the report pinpoints 17 key zones across the GTHA for early charging deployment. These include:
- Toronto (M9W, M9V, M9L, M3J, M4M)
- Brampton (L6S, L6T, L6W)
- Hamilton (L0R, L8H, N0B, L8E)
- Mississauga (L4T, L5W, L4W)
- Markham (L3T, L6G)
While the analysis focuses on the GTHA, the methodology can be applied to cities across Canada to guide public charging investments and accelerate the electric freight transition nationwide.
With smart planning today and the right infrastructure in place, Ontario can cut emissions, improve air quality and take advantage of the economic opportunities that come with electrifying freight. Strategic charging investments can attract manufacturing, create jobs in construction and grid development, reduce fuel and maintenance costs for fleet operators and position Ontario as a hub for clean transportation innovation.
Without action, Ontario risks missing out on clean growth, while emissions rise and electric truck adoption falls short of its potential.
Quotes
“Anonymized real-world data from thousands of Canadian trucks shows that freight activity isn’t spread out evenly — it's concentrated in a few key zones. Just 10% of postal code areas account for half of all truck traffic. That means we don’t need chargers everywhere, particularly in the near term; we need them in the right places.”
— Chandan Bhardwaj, Senior Analyst, Pembina Institute
“Canada can’t electrify freight without charging stations. And charging stations won’t scale unless governments, utilities, regulators and the private sector work together. With a strategic, data-driven plan, governments can create the market certainty needed to enable private investment and streamline infrastructure buildout to electrify freight at scale.”
— Adam Thorn, Director, Transportation, Pembina Institute
Quick facts
- Ontario must increase public fast chargers for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles fivefold by 2030 and twentyfold by 2035 to meet rising electric demand. Yet today, only 20 chargers are available. (NRCan, 2024)
- Installing public charging stations creates up to 10 local jobs per station, including construction, installation and maintenance roles. (ICCT, 2024)
- Vehicle production in Canada has dropped by more than 50% since 2014, while global electric truck sales jumped nearly 80% in 2024 — signaling where demand is headed and a chance to rebuild Canada’s auto sector around clean technologies.
- Businesses can save up to 40% on fuel and maintenance costs by switching to electric trucks.
- Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles make up just 10% of vehicles on the road but produce a disproportionate share of traffic-related air pollution — linked to 1,200 premature deaths and $9 billion in health costs (2015). Delaying the shift to zero-emission vehicles prolongs this harm.
[30]
Visit the Pembina Institute’s website to download a copy of Locating Charging Stations: Identifying zones for early deployment in the GTHA using real-world truck data
Contact
Lejla Latifovic
Senior Communications Lead, Pembina Institute
819-639-4185
Background
Report: Locating Charging Stations
Report: Electrifying Fleet Trucks
Blog: Ontario is ready for electric trucks
Report: Helping Fleets Charge: Barriers and solutions to charging electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in Ontario
Report: Assembling the Future: Powering a healthier, more affordable Ontario
