The New Brunswick government has announced a package of investments totalling more than $6 million to expand public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and electrify parts of its vehicle fleet.
What the funding covers
The provincial plan directs $5 million to the provincially owned eCharge network for the installation of 16 new DC fast chargers, which will add 29 charging ports. Officials said the new fast chargers will be sited in currently underserved areas and at existing, high-traffic locations.
As of March 2026 the eCharge network already included 61 DC fast charging ports and 140 Level 2 ports, according to data from Natural Resources Canada. Existing fast chargers on the network provide speeds ranging from 50 kW to 100 kW; the province has not released the power ratings for the incoming chargers.
Charging at parks and government fleet upgrades
In addition to the $5 million for the public network, the province earmarked $100,000 to install additional charging stations at three provincial parks: République, Mactaquac and Herring Cove. The government has not indicated how many new ports will be added at those sites.
The plan also allocates $955,000 for the purchase of electric vehicles for the provincial fleet. The number and types of vehicles to be bought were not disclosed. The rollout will include the construction of three regional charging hubs in Moncton, Saint John and Miramichi, and single-port chargers will be added at selected fleet housing locations to support day-to-day operations.
"Adding more electric vehicle chargers to the network is a positive step towards achieving our 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target and our goal of being net zero by 2050," said Gilles LePage, minister of environment and climate change.
"New Brunswick remains committed to ensuring the vehicles in its government fleet are both modern and environmentally sustainable," added Chuck Chiasson, minister of transportation and infrastructure. "This additional funding will help us continue this trend, by expanding upon our existing inventory of electric vehicles and increasing the fleet’s charging infrastructure across the province."
Context and local impact
The investment comes as EV ownership in New Brunswick is growing but remains modest. Federal statistics cited by the province note that 421 battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles were newly registered in the province in the first quarter of the year. Expanding fast charging in underserved communities aims to reduce range anxiety for drivers and support longer intra-provincial travel.
Strategically placing chargers at high-volume and underserved sites can support tourism, commerce and daily mobility—particularly in rural parts of the province where public charging options are sparse. The addition of chargers at provincial parks may also encourage EV owners to use provincial camping and recreation facilities without concerns about charging availability.
What drivers should know
- New DC fast chargers usually provide substantially faster charging than Level 2 units, allowing for quicker top-ups on longer trips.
- The eCharge network already offers DC chargers with output between 50 kW and 100 kW; specific speeds for the new units were not released.
- The province will install hubs in three regional centres—Moncton, Saint John and Miramichi—improving options for drivers travelling between communities.
Officials said the new chargers will reach areas that currently lack reliable fast-charging access, but did not provide a timeline for installation or a full map of planned locations. Drivers looking to plan trips should continue to consult the eCharge network map and third-party apps for up-to-date availability.
Funding breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| eCharge network — DC fast chargers | $5,000,000 |
| Provincial parks charging additions (République, Mactaquac, Herring Cove) | $100,000 |
| Electric vehicles for provincial fleet | $955,000 |
The province framed the investment as part of a broader strategy to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and modernize government operations. While the announced sums and siting priorities provide a clearer picture of the next phase of the eCharge rollout, residents and EV owners will be watching for more precise installation schedules, charger power ratings and the exact number of new ports at parks and fleet locations.
For now, the funding signals a continued provincial commitment to grow public charging and to make government vehicle options more environmentally sustainable as New Brunswick works toward its stated 2030 and 2050 climate goals.
