Electric vehicle (EV) ownership in London, Ontario, has surged by 50% over the past year, according to new data from London Hydro—defying a broader national slowdown in EV sales.
As of March 30, 2025, there were 4,550 electric vehicles registered on the city’s roads. Of these, 63% are fully electric while 37% are plug-in hybrids, reflecting a growing shift toward sustainable transportation.
“We’ve seen consistent growth in EVs on our roads over the last three years,” said Allan Van Damme, Vice President of Engineering and Construction at London Hydro.
Grid Ready and Growing
Despite concerns in other parts of Canada about the strain EVs might place on energy systems, Van Damme assures that London’s power grid is more than prepared.
“We conduct both short- and long-term planning to ensure we meet demand,” he said, adding that the utility has upgraded its infrastructure by using larger wires and transformers to future-proof the city’s energy needs.
London Hydro is also encouraging residents to install Level 2 home chargers, offering guidance to ensure proper electrical capacity.
Public Charging Plays a Role
Though most charging happens at home, the availability of public EV chargers in London has made a noticeable difference. The city boasts about 450 chargers, a considerable share when compared to other Ontario cities of similar size.
ChargeHub, a platform that tracks charger availability, lists 369 public chargers within 15 kilometers of London’s downtown—more than Brampton (287) and Hamilton (211).
“London has strong EV infrastructure coverage,” said Simon Pillarella, ChargeHub’s head of marketing and business development.
Contrasting Headlines: Local Growth Amid National Slowdown
The local success story contrasts with broader market challenges. Major automakers like Honda and General Motors have recently paused EV investments or cut production due to softening demand.
- GM halted EV van production at its Ingersoll CAMI plant
- Honda delayed plans for a new EV facility in Ontario by at least two years
Still, London is bucking the trend—thanks to reliable infrastructure, proactive utilities, and rising public interest.
Looking Ahead
Pillarella and Van Damme agree: the key to accelerating EV growth lies in continued support from all levels of government for infrastructure expansion.
“We’re ready to support more EV adoption,” Van Damme said. “Whether it’s a Level 1 or Level 2 charger, we want to help residents make the switch to cleaner technologies.”
