US and Canada Announce Bi-National EV Charging Corridor

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and IBEW Member Bill Baisden today announced the first Bi-National Electric Vehicle (EV) Corridor. The new EV corridor will run from Kalamazoo, Michigan to Quebec City, Quebec using part of the ~75,000 miles of Alternative Fuel Corridors in the United States. The Corridor will have DC fast chargers every ~50 miles or 80 kilometers.

“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,” said Canadian Transport Minister Alghabra. 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.”

Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Bill Baisden, IBEW Local 58 member and owner of Dynamic Electrical Group, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. (L to R)

In Canada, one in ten new vehicles purchased is a zero-emission vehicle. Obviously, the EV Corridor helps the movement of passengers and goods through this key economic area. It also helps Canada to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Today’s announcements is an outgrowth of President Biden’s March visit to Canada, where he and Prime Minister Trudeau said they will work together to harmonize EV charging standards and develop cross-border alternative fuel corridors between the US and Canada. This appears to be the world’s largest market-based energy trading deal.

“The US and Canada have long enjoyed a productive partnership on transportation issues and in that spirit we are proud to announce the first-ever U.S.-Canada EV Corridor,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With historic investments in EV infrastructure from the Biden-Harris Administration and the Canadian government, we are creating a new generation of good-paying manufacturing jobs, making it possible for drivers everywhere to reap the benefits and savings of these vehicles while helping us fight climate change.”