City guide
EV charging in Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa has expanded public charging via on-street pilots and installations at City facilities. As of May 2024 the City activated 24 on-street Level 2 chargers at 12 locations priced at $2/hour, and added chargers at Park & Ride and community sites including a municipal DC fast unit in Orléans. Federal ZEVIP funding and Hydro Ottawa’s affiliate supported delivery. ([Engage Ottawa][6])
Coverage is strongest in Centretown/ByWard Market and key corridors like Wellington/Richmond, with additional nodes in Kanata, Orléans and Barrhaven. Hydro Ottawa provides an EV charging connection process for new projects; City materials emphasize an off-street focus before scaling on-street further. ([Hydro Ottawa][7])
PlugMapper blends municipal postings and federal datasets to present verified locations, connector types and access hours, highlighting late-night options near hospitals, universities and the Sports Complex area. ([Engage Ottawa][6])
Ottawa, Ontario EV charging snapshot
Most public deployments leverage NRCan’s ZEVIP funding and municipal delivery; Hydro Ottawa provides connection guidance for non-residential projects. ([Government of Canada][9])
City lists 24 on-street Level 2 chargers across 12 locations; fee is $2 per hour for users. Page last updated May 23, 2024. ([Engage Ottawa][6])
City notes a fast charging station at Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – Orléans plus new Level 2 at other facilities. ([Engage Ottawa][6])
Hydro Ottawa outlines a simplified application and connection process for EV charging installations. ([Hydro Ottawa][7])
City committee minutes (Oct. 24, 2024) indicate emphasis on expanding off-street networks prior to broader on-street expansion. ([City of Ottawa Documents][8])
Plan charging routes with the PlugMapper map
Use PlugMapper to find on-street L2, municipal lots and DC fast near I-417/I-174 while filtering by price, access hours and connector type.
- Filter for on-street sites to view the 12 pilot locations priced at $2/hour; confirm nearby parking restrictions and winter rules before visiting.
- Highlight municipal lots and Park & Ride sites with Level 2 or the Orléans DC fast unit, then compare nearby private networks for trip continuity.
- Use live-status overlays to avoid queues near event venues; rotate to corridor fast chargers along Highway 417 or 174 when time is limited.
Map coverage refreshes every six hours from AFDC and local utility feeds. Availability and pricing may change; confirm with the station operator before your trip.
Top EV charging stations in Ottawa, Ontario
Ordered by total public charging ports available, these five locations provide the greatest capacity for EV drivers across the city.
- 1510 Riverside Dr1510 Riverside Dr, Ottawa, ON K1G 4X554 total portsCHARGELAB
- SWTCH Energy Inc.300 Sparks St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0J650 total portsSWTCH
- The Business Inn & Suites180 MacLaren Street, Ottawa, ON K2P0L324 total portsOpConnect
- Hydro Ottawa1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B620 total portsNon-Networked
- Preston Square 343 Preston St - 2343 Preston, Ottawa, ON K1S 1N410 total portsFLO
Need overnight charging? Toggle the map to Level 2 sites and look for garage locations with 24/7 access. Driving for hire? The fast-charge filter highlights plugs that meet local TLC or taxi requirements.
PlugMapper combines operator feeds, OpenStreetMap context, and user feedback. Spot an update? Open the station detail page to share changes so we can alert the network owner.
Incentives and rebates for installing EV chargers
Most public deployments leverage NRCan’s ZEVIP funding and municipal delivery; Hydro Ottawa provides connection guidance for non-residential projects. ([Government of Canada][9])
City initiatives
- On-Street EV Charging (City of Ottawa)
Pilot of 24 Level 2 chargers at 12 curbside locations priced at $2/hour; delivered with ZEVIP support and Envari.
View program details - Charging at Park & Ride and Community Facilities
Recent municipal installations include Park & Ride Level 2 and a DC fast charger in Orléans to diversify public access.
View program details
Utility programs
- Hydro Ottawa – EV Charging Connection
Outlines steps and requirements for connecting EV charging to Hydro Ottawa’s distribution system for commercial/public sites.
View program details
State & federal support
- NRCan – ZEVIP (current calls)
Federal cost-shared funding; 2024–2025 RFPs support public, workplace and MURB charging and DC fast in strategic locations.
View program details
Neighborhood coverage
Garage and on-street Level 2 near offices and attractions; plan corridor fast charging near Highway 417 for time-sensitive trips.
Active retail corridors with L2 options; check pricing and parking limits; rotate to Richmond/Wellington DC fast nearby when needed.
Workplace-oriented Level 2 with daytime access; highway DC fast supports regional travel and short dwell windows.
Municipal fast charging at Bob MacQuarrie plus community Level 2; convenient for east-end commuters.
Community facilities and retail lots add Level 2; verify access hours and overnight rules.
Trusted resources
- On-Street EV Charging – City of Ottawa
Locations, pricing and recent municipal installations.
Visit resource - Hydro Ottawa – EV Charging Connection
How to connect new public/Commercial EVSE.
Visit resource - Energy Evolution (Ottawa)
City strategy including public charging actions.
Visit resource - NRCan – Station Locator (Canada)
Official federal map for public charging.
Visit resource
Frequently asked questions
How much do Ottawa’s on-street chargers cost?
The City lists $2 per hour for the on-street Level 2 pilot, with 24 chargers across 12 locations in the urban area. ([Engage Ottawa][6])
Is there municipal DC fast charging?
Yes. A fast charger is installed at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – Orléans alongside additional Level 2 sites. ([Engage Ottawa][6])
What utility support exists for new projects?
Hydro Ottawa provides an EV charging connection process to streamline non-residential applications and interconnections. ([Hydro Ottawa][7])
Will curbside charging expand further?
City committee materials note a focus on off-street networks first, with on-street expansion to follow as plans mature. ([City of Ottawa Documents][8])
What funding sources are most common?
NRCan’s ZEVIP supports many public and workplace/MURB projects; calls for proposals in 2024–2025 advanced additional deployments. ([Government of Canada][9])
Market insights shaping local charging
Curbside Level 2 at 12 locations addresses residents without driveways or garage access, complementing lot-based and facility chargers. ([Engage Ottawa][6])
Hydro Ottawa’s connection guidance clarifies steps for businesses and institutions, helping align timelines with equipment lead times. ([Hydro Ottawa][7])
City materials indicate priority for expanding chargers in parking lots and facilities ahead of larger on-street rollouts. ([City of Ottawa Documents][8])
ZEVIP continues to underwrite a significant share of public and workplace installations, stabilizing growth across Ottawa’s neighborhoods. ([Government of Canada][9])
Plan dependable charging across Ottawa
Compare on-street, municipal lots and corridor fast chargers with live status and pricing.