Toronto Hydro Pilots 480-Volt Grid Access to Accelerate EV Charging Infrastructure — Toronto Hydro Corporation

Event summary

Toronto Hydro launches a pilot program offering direct 480-volt power access to up to 10 EV charging projects, eliminating the need for customer-owned step-down transformers.
The initiative aims to reduce project costs, speed up construction timelines, and lower space requirements for DC fast chargers.
Pilot runs until the end of 2027, with potential to become a full-service offering pending results.
Toronto currently has over 3,200 publicly available EV chargers and 42,200 registered EVs as of 2026.

The big picture

Toronto Hydro's pilot program addresses a critical bottleneck in EV charging infrastructure deployment by streamlining grid connections. This move aligns with broader trends in utility innovation and the global shift toward electrified transportation. With over 42,200 EVs registered in Toronto, the program could significantly accelerate the city's transition to sustainable mobility.

What we're watching

Deployment Pace: How quickly Toronto Hydro can scale this pilot into a full-service offering will indicate its commitment to supporting EV infrastructure growth.
Cost Efficiency: Whether the cost savings from eliminating step-down transformers will translate into faster adoption of EV charging stations by providers.
Grid Impact: The potential system impacts of increased 480-volt transformer usage on Toronto Hydro's distribution grid.