There are calls for new Ontario homes to be ready for the expansion of electric vehicles.

NDP MPP Jennifer French would like to see a change to the Ontario Building Code that would require home builders to have some of the necessary infrastructure put in place for the future installation of EV chargers.

During a recent debate at Queen’s Park, French said it is a step that can make the province more EV-ready.

“We will be building cars and making batteries and hopefully strengthening the energy grid to support our electric future. But if we don’t make sure people can charge their vehicles, we are undermining the potential for manufacturing and sales. People won’t buy them if they can’t charge them,” says French.

French will debate her private member’s motion next week.

The Ford government has previously panned the idea, suggesting it would increase building costs.

It also argues that homeowners are the ones to decide if they want an EV charge, not the government.

French says it is not about installing a charger.

“This isn’t about building homes with charging stations ready to plug and play. This is about wiring and roughing in the electrical to support the future needs of the homeowner.”

“The cost of aftermarket charging infrastructure is way higher than the cost of wiring it right when it is built.”

French says a previous measure in the Building Code was removed by the Ford government in 2018.