The Yukon’s fast vehicle charger network to grow to 19 by the end of 2022 

In 2019, the Yukon Liberals declared a climate emergency and Yukoners have made it clear that our territory needs to continue to take climate action now that will protect the Yukon and its climate. In 2019, the Yukon Liberals released Our Clean Future, A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a clean economy, our plan to reduce the Yukon’s emissions by 30% lower than they were in 2010, by the year 2030.

Over half of the territory’s emissions come from the transportation sector and close to 90 per cent of of that comes from road transportation. One of the ways we are planning to reduce emissions from the transportation sector in the Yukon is to make it easier for Yukoners, and those visiting our territory, to travel across the Yukon using electric vehicles.  

In Our Clean Future, the Yukon Liberals set a target to have at least 4,800 zero emission vehicles registered in the territory by 2030. To do that, we need to first invest in the infrastructure that will support these vehicles and incentivize Yukoners to transition to electric vehicles in the coming year. 

Just last week, MLA for Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes John Streicker, announced that the Yukon is well on its way to surpass its goal in Our Clean Future to ensure that electric vehicle infrastructure is available in all road accessible communities by 2027. In 2021, the Yukon Liberals have installed 7 new electric vehicle fast chargers in the territory and will be installing an additional 7 in 2022, bringing the total network of fast vehicle chargers in the territory to 19 by the end of the year.

As of now, electric vehicles can be fast charged in Teslin, Whitehorse, Carmacks, Pelly Crossing, Mayo and Dawson City. Electric vehicle drivers can now travel the entire Klondike Highway, the Silver Trail Highway and a large part of the Alaska Highway, with charging support along the way.

We need to continue to make progress as a territory to transition to renewable energy solutions. In over 10 years of governance, the Yukon Party failed to follow Canadian jurisdictions across the country and began installing electric vehicle chargers in the Yukon. The Yukon cannot afford to stall on reducing our emissions and supporting electric vehicle drivers.

The Yukon Liberals are committed to continuing to take sensible climate action because we know that the environment and the economy go hand in hand. By investing in reducing our emissions, enabling Yukoners to find more sustainable solutions to transportation and investing in renewable energy sources, we will be able to strengthen our economy and ensure our climate is protected for Yukoners today and future generations.