Big automakers and splashy government spending are grabbing headlines, but there are some pioneering problem-solvers behind the scenes in the EV world that deserve hero status. We can’t underestimate the challenges ahead to electrify everything, which is why TAF is funding climate leaders across the GTHA to take on specific roadblocks to decarbonizing our transportation systems. We want to fund the hard stuff that may be overlooked by the big splashes.
Pembina Institute is tackling urban freight emissions by helping companies electrify fleets
As more Canadians choose to shop online, it’s estimated that online sales are up 54% since 2020 and will grow by another 27% by 2023. Without intervention, carbon emissions and air pollution from this sector will dramatically increase. Pembina is on the case, helping to equip businesses with the information needed to integrate and scale up EVs into their urban delivery fleets. By helping businesses overcome barriers to electrification through modelling and research, Pembina has made the business case and environmental case for last-mile fleets to go all electric. Pembina is also actively convening stakeholders to advocate for the Clean Fuel Standard, a crucial regulation for reducing transportation emissions and growing the EV sector.
Harbord Village Residents’ Association is community-organizing to save on costs and spread awareness
The greatest barriers preventing consumers from purchasing EVs are cost, access to information, and concerns about access to charging. This neighbourhood association is organizing a community-wide bulk purchase program for electric cars and electric bicycles. The program will offer participants information about available EVs, help them to select the right vehicle based on their needs, and provide a bulk purchase discount. To ensure their neighbours have places to charge, they are also coordinating with the City of Toronto and other key stakeholders to have public chargers installed in the community.
Clean Air Partnership is ensuring all new multi-family buildings are set up to charge EVs
Ensuring that people who live in apartments and condos can access EV charging at home is a complex barrier to wide EV adoption. To prepare the next generation of buildings to satisfy demand, the Clean Air Partnership is supporting development of “EV-ready” requirements for new construction, which is considerably cheaper and easier than retrofitting or installing chargers post-construction. The project will support GTHA municipalities in developing EV-ready requirements for residential parking in new developments, making sure anyone has access to plug in, regardless of what type of building they live in.
Durham Region Transit is making critical investments in e-buses and charging
Durham Region Transit is preparing to pilot eight electric buses and four charging technologies in their Oshawa facility. Funding from TAF will enable data collection and sharing of lessons learned from the pilot project to inform the design of a dedicated zero-emission bus depot. Investing in electrifying transit is a critical part of reducing urban emissions, and specifically for the nearly 2 million people who rely on transit in the GTHA every day.
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If your organization or municipality has ideas to accelerate and scale-up electric mobility in the GTHA, we encourage you to get in touch with our grants team. For the next and final intake round of the year, we’re particularly interested in projects focused on the development and implementation of municipal EV strategies in the GTHA. The deadline to submit expressions of interest for this round is July 17.
