Detroit, Michigan — Canadian Federal Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra met with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, in Detroit on Tuesday to announce the first binational alternative fuel corridor between the two nations.
This joint Canada-U.S. agreement plans to line the highways stretching from Kalamazoo, Mich. to Québec City with EV charging stations every 80 kilometres.
The corridor is to cover part of the U.S.’s I-94 highway through the Detroit-Windsor border tunnel, Hwy. 401 through Toronto, Hwy. 20 through Montreal and Hwy. 40 to Québec City.
As part of the agreement, each station is required to contain at least one Direct Current (DC) fast charger with Combined Charging System (CCS) ports.
This new corridor is expected to, on one hand, expand travel capabilities for EV drivers on either side of the border, and on the other, promote investment into emissions-free shipping solutions for the many supply chain stakeholders operating in the area.
“Canada and the United States have built the world’s largest market-based energy trading relationship, which provides a firm foundation as we strive to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” Alghabra said in Tuesday’s news release.
“This first cross-border alternative fuel corridor will help drivers to travel across the border and charge or refuel worry-free. It contributes to bringing us another step closer to making our air cleaner while helping people save money on traditional fuels.”
The Canadian charging stations will be distributed as follows:
- 61 stations between Detroit and Toronto, with at least one Direct Current Fast charger with a Combined Charging System connector, and are within 6 km of the highway.
- 154 stations between Toronto and Québec City, with at least one Direct Current Fast charger with a Combined Charging System connector, and are within 6 km of the highway.
