Finding a public charger in Canada usually comes down to one of a small handful of apps and networks, and most EV owners settle into using one or two of them as their default within the first few weeks of ownership.
Canada’s main charging networks
| Network | What to know |
|---|---|
| Petro-Canada Electric Highway | DC fast chargers positioned along much of the Trans-Canada corridor, aimed specifically at long-distance travel between cities |
| Ivy Charging Network | A joint venture concentrated mainly in Ontario, mixing Level 2 and DC fast charging |
| FLO | One of Canada’s largest networks, with chargers at a wide range of public and workplace locations across the country |
| Electrify Canada | DC fast charging with growing coverage, part of a broader North American network |
| ChargePoint | Common at workplaces, shopping centres, and mixed-use parking |
| Tesla Supercharger | Canada’s largest single fast-charging network, increasingly open to non-Tesla EVs; see our guide on using a Supercharger with a non-Tesla EV |
Apps that make finding a charger easier
Rather than tracking each network separately, most drivers rely on an app that aggregates multiple networks at once.
Your vehicle’s built-in navigation
Most current EVs include charging station data directly in their native navigation system, often factoring in your remaining range automatically when you set a distant destination. It’s a convenient default, though a dedicated app usually shows more real-time detail, like whether a specific stall is currently in use or out of service.
💡 Tip: For a road trip, cross-check two sources rather than relying on just one, your vehicle’s navigation and a community app like PlugShare, or ChargeHub and ABRP together. Networks occasionally report a station as available when it’s actually out of service, and a second source catches this before you arrive.
⚠️ Note: Charger availability thins out considerably in remote and northern regions. If your route heads outside major corridors, plan with extra care and identify backup options, rather than assuming an app will always show a nearby alternative.