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Thanking Canadian Farmers This Canada Day
Canada Day is HERE and the team at YCR wants to send a special shoutout and thank you to the people that fill bellies from sea to sea each and
June 27, 2025
(Image Source: Pixabay)
Canada’s roads are changing fast. New data from Statistics Canada reveals a dramatic acceleration in the adoption of electric-powered vehicles, with 1 in 7 new cars registered in 2024 running on electricity. These vehicles now make up over 14% of all new registrations, signaling a seismic shift in consumer preferences.
Battery-electric models account for 75% of all registered electric-powered vehicles, outpacing hybrids. We examine the drivers behind this surge—is the shift to electric-powered vehicles accelerating or slowing down? And what does it mean for Canada’s energy demands?
As electric vehicles (EVs) rapidly gain ground on Canadian roads, a new economic ecosystem is quietly taking shape. The rise of EVs is not only transforming the automotive industry but also spawning new markets in battery manufacturing, charging infrastructure, and offering unprecedented opportunities for local manufacturers, tech companies, and energy service providers.
In particular, Canada’s rich mineral resources—such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, essential for EV batteries—are driving a shift in the mining sector and attracting international investment. For instance, in 2023, Canada produced 5,099 tons of cobalt, primarily from nickel mines in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Therefore, the widespread adoption of EVs is more than just a technological revolution; it is a key catalyst for Canada’s economic transformation and a more diverse energy future.
Canada’s electric vehicle boom isn’t just changing the way we drive—it’s shaking up our entire energy system. From surging electricity demand to shrinking gas sales, here’s how the EV wave is transforming power grids, fossil fuel use, and energy growth.
With millions of EVs hitting the road, Canada’s power needs are set to jump. Natural Resources Canada estimates EVs could make up 5-10% of total electricity demand by 2035—enough to power a small city! But here’s the catch: Fast chargers (especially on highways) could strain local grids.
Not all provinces are on equal footing. Hydro-rich Quebec and B.C. have a natural advantage in supporting electric-powered vehicles, but Alberta and Saskatchewan, where traditional energy still powers the economy.
To close this gap, these provinces need fast-tracked energy projects, from wind farms to grid upgrades, ensuring they can compete in a changing energy landscape. Smart charging, grid upgrades, and other electricity sources energy investments will be key.
If done right, EVs could push us toward a stronger and more varied grid. The faster Canada builds this infrastructure, the sooner every region can share in the economic benefits of transportation, without leaving workers or industries behind.
Some provinces (e.g. Quebec, B.C.) have abundant hydropower resources that can support EV growth. In Ontario, there are bigger pictures. TTC goes solar with rooftop panels to power transit facilities.
The TTC is joining forces with PowerON—Ontario Power Generation’s energy solutions arm—to bring solar panels to its facilities, kicking things off at the Hillcrest Complex in 2025.
While Ontario’s grid already runs on a mix of nuclear, hydro, gas, and wind power (delivered via Hydro One’s transmission lines and distributed by Toronto Hydro), this solar project adds a localized energy boost right where the TTC needs it.
The Hillcrest substation acts as the bridge between the provincial grid and the TTC’s microgrid, and with solar in the mix, the transit system can offset even more of its energy demand.
Canada’s EV surge is accelerating the shift toward an electrified future, but urgent policy action is needed to keep pace. To fully unlock this transition, governments must prioritize streamlined project approvals and targeted investments in infrastructure, from grid upgrades to nationwide charging networks, while ensuring a stable, diverse energy supply.
Provinces reliant on traditional energy sectors will require support to adapt economically, but delays in permitting or underinvestment could stall progress. The question isn’t if Canada needs more EVs, but how quickly we can approve the projects and policies to make it happen.
Will Ottawa and provincial leaders cut red tape and introduce bold incentives to keep the momentum? The answer will determine whether Canada leads or lags in the energy transition.
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