Oshawa MPP wants to make Ontario homes EV-ready with new legislation

QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Jennifer French (Oshawa), Official Opposition NDP Critic for Infrastructure, Transportation & Highways, has introduced the EV-Ready Homes Act (Bill 199) that would ensure new homes are ready for electric vehicles by requiring builders to install rough-ins for chargers.

“Electric vehicles are the future, but we are not yet EV-ready,” said French. “New homes should be built with the future in mind. Installing home charging infrastructure can be expensive – but it’s far more cost effective when it is already roughed-in.”

“This government has boasted about their electric vehicle investments – but they are not plugged into what is really needed. People are excited about electric vehicles, but they won’t buy them if they can’t reliably charge them.”

MPP French will debate Private Member’s Motion 109 on Wednesday, June 5th. She has previously spoken about this issue in a statement before the legislature and a question to the Premier.

A previous version of the Ontario Building Code contained a similar requirement for EV charging infrastructure, before it was removed by the Ford government in 2018.

Additional quotes:

Teresa Sarkesian, President & Chief Executive Officer, Electricity Distributors Association

"Whether it’s the federal government’s net-zero target, the province’s investments in EV manufacturing, or changes in customer expectations – mass adoption of EVs is coming, and it is time to get ready. Building new homes with the expected changes in future electricity use in mind – particularly EVs - makes sense, and it will ensure Ontario is ready for its electric future."