Burlington introduces first charging fees after 11 years of free municipal EV charging

The City of Burlington will begin charging for electric vehicle charging at municipal stations from 1 October 2025, ending 11 years of free provision. The city has expanded its network from 2 charging stations in 2015 to 49 in 2025, with rising maintenance, repair and electricity costs cited as the driver for the new fees.

Why it matters: The shift from free to paid charging at a growing municipal network signals how local authorities are moving from subsidy models to cost recovery as utilisation rises, a trend that may influence procurement and operating assumptions for public sector charge point operators across Canada.