The recent federal election in Canada delivered a clear outcome: the Liberal Party remains in power, a result that brings significant reassurance to the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry. Chief among the policies affected is the Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR), which the Liberals implemented and which are crucial to the financial model underpinning EV infrastructure deployment across the country.
Here’s what the election means for the future of the CFR, why that matters for EV charging stakeholders, and what the industry can expect moving forward.
Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations are a market-based program designed to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. Under the CFR, low-carbon fuel producers and technologies — including electricity used to power EVs — can generate credits that are then purchased by fossil fuel suppliers to meet their regulatory obligations.
For EV charging operators, this translates to real revenue: businesses that supply electricity for transportation use (through public or fleet EV chargers) can opt into the program and earn credits based on the amount of clean electricity delivered to vehicles. Those credits have a market value and can be sold quarterly or annually, providing an additional income stream on top of charging fees.
This mechanism has become an important economic driver behind charging infrastructure expansion, especially in segments where user fee revenue alone doesn’t fully cover capital or operational costs. Service providers that help organizations register for and monetize CFR credits have emerged as key enablers of this ecosystem.
The CFR was developed and enacted under the Liberal government and came into force in 2023. The party has consistently emphasized climate action and electrification, pairing the CFR with vehicle sales mandates, charging infrastructure funding, and clean electricity goals.
In contrast, the Conservative Party campaigned on eliminating the CFR, labeling it a “second carbon tax” due to its potential to increase gasoline prices. Their platform proposed scrapping not only the CFR, but also the EV availability mandate and clean electricity regulations — policies critical to Canada’s zero-emission transportation goals.
Had the Conservatives won, there was a credible risk that the CFR and related EV-supportive measures would have been repealed, disrupting credit markets, stranding infrastructure investments, and chilling further expansion. Their defeat ensures policy continuity.
The re-election of the Liberals preserves the integrity and longevity of the CFR, which is good news for companies invested in electrification. It removes the uncertainty that had been clouding long-term planning and investment decisions across the sector.
Here’s what it means in practice:
Additionally, the requirement that revenues from public charging credits be reinvested into EV-related projects creates a self-sustaining loop that benefits the whole ecosystem.
The election outcome sends a strong signal: Canada will stay the course on transportation decarbonization. For the EV charging industry, that means a supportive environment for scaling infrastructure, attracting investment, and innovating on services that drive electrification.
Companies that offer CFR credit services, deploy charging hardware, manage fleets, or build software for clean mobility can now act with confidence. With the political foundation reaffirmed, the focus can return to what matters most — accelerating the transition to a zero-emission future.