Whether you’re using a public charger on the go or plugging in at home, the cost of keeping your electric vehicle (EV) powered up can sneak up on you. But the right credit card can make up for some of the cost through cash back or rewards points. So, don’t wait: we’ve gathered the best credit cards in Canada to power up your EV—and your wallet—at the same time.
Best credit cards for EV charging in Canada
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Gold: Best for EV charging
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card
Earn 4% cash back on electric vehicle charging.
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Interest Rates:
20.99% purchase, 22.99% cash advance, 22.99% balance transfer
Welcome offer:
$250 value
Earn a 10% cash back welcome bonus of up to $250 (first 4 statements). Offer not available to QC residents. Terms and conditions apply.
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Silver: Best for EV charging
RBC ION+ Visa
Earn 3 Avion points per dollar spent on electric vehicle charging.
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Interest Rates:
20.99% purchase, 22.99% cash advance, 22.99% balance transfer
Welcome offer:
$101 value
Earn 14,000 Avion points upon approval – that’s $100 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 7, 2025.
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Bronze: Best for EV charging
BMO CashBack World Elite MasterCard
Earn 3% cash back on electric vehicle charging.
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Interest Rates:
21.99% purchase, 23.99% cash advance, 23.99% balance transfer
Compare credit cards for EV drivers
Use the table below to compare EV charging credit card options, or keep scrolling for our editors’ top picks. Can’t see all the details on your screen? Simply slide the columns using your fingers or trackpad, or you can hover your mouse over the table to access the scroll bar at the bottom.
Best card by category
Annual feeRewards on EV charging
Equivalent return on spendingSpending cap for bonus rate
Earn at the same rate for gas purchasesDiscount on gas purchases Personal annual income requirement
Recommended credit scoreApply now (featured cards only)
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
$120 (rebated first year)
4% cash back4%First $20,000 in purchases per yearYesUp to $0.10 per litre at Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron stations$60,000 per year725 or higherGo to siteRBC ION+ Visa
$483 Avion points per $1 spent3.42%No limitYesNoneNone specifiedNone specifiedGo to siteBMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
$1203% cash back3%First $300 per statement cycleYesUp to $0.07 per litre at Shell gas stations$80,000 per year760 or higherGo to siteAmex SimplyCash Preferred
$1204% cash back4%No limitYesNoneNone specificed725 or higherGo to siteCIBC Costco Mastercard
$03% cash back at Costco gas stations
2% cash back at other stations
3% at Costco stations
2% at other stations
First $5,000 in purchases per yearYesUp to $0.10 per litre at Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron stations$15,000 per year560 or higherNot available
MoneySense award winners
Dive into the pros and cons of the top three best credit cards for EV charging in Canada. We’ve also included options for Canadians who would prefer an American Express or no-annual-fee card.
Gold: Best credit card for EV charging
At a glance: The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite is our top pick for electric and hybrid vehicle drivers in Canada, offering an unbeatable 4% cash back on EV charging as well as groceries. Plus, this card delivers consistent rewards across categories with bonus rates on everyday spending like dining, transit and recurring bills. Also, save up to $0.10 per litre for your hybrid or other car at select gas stations with Journie Rewards.
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CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
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Annual fee: $120 (rebated first year)
Welcome offer: Earn 10% cash back (up to $250 in cash back on your first four statements), plus a first-year annual fee rebate. Offer not available to Quebec residents.
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Card details
Interest rates20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfersIncome requiredPersonal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000Credit score725 or higher
Silver: Best credit card for EV charging
At a glance: The RBC ION+ Visa is one of RBC’s newest credit cards and another great option for electric and hybrid vehicle drivers. It has a low annual fee, and it offers 3 Avion points for every $1 spent on EV charging, as well as grocery, dining and even digital gaming. Plus, for your hybrid or other car, cardholders enjoy fuel savings at Petro-Canada and earn the same 3 points for every $1 on gas purchases.
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RBC ION+ Visa
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Annual fee: $48
Welcome offer: Get 14,000 Avion points upon approval ($100 value). Apply by May 7, 2025.
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Card details
Interest rates20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfersIncome requiredNone specifiedCredit scoreNone specifiedPoint value1 RBC Avion point = Up to $0.023 when redeemed for travel using RBC’s Air Travel Redemption Schedule.
Bronze: Best credit card for EV charging
At a glance: The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard is another great credit card option, offering excellent earn rates across categories. Earn 3% cash back on EV charging and gas purchases. This is a great card for frequent drivers and travellers, with complimentary roadside assistance and travel insurance. Plus, gas savings at Shell locations for drivers of hybrid and gas cars.
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BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
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Annual fee: $120 (waived first year)
Welcome offer: Earn up to 10% cash back during your first 3 months on up to $2,600 in purchases.
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Card details
Interest rates21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, 23.99% on balance transfers (21.99% in Quebec)Income requiredPersonal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000Credit score760 or higher
Pros and cons
Pros
High earn rates: Earn up to 5% back in four major spending categories, including 3% on EV charging and gas.
Comprehensive roadside assistance: With a free basic membership in the Dominion Automobile Association, get four free service calls per year, including towing (up to 10 km), tire changes, winching, battery boosts, lockout assistance, emergency fuel delivery and more.
Fuel savings: Hybrid drivers will appreciate the fuel discount of up to $0.07 per litre at Shell locations.
Insurance offerings: Extensive insurance for a cash back card, including coverage for travel medical, rental cars, baggage, flight delays and more.
Easy redemptions: Redeem your cash back any time for as little as $1.
Cons
Earning caps: The bonus categories have low monthly spending limits, ranging from $300 to $500, which is restrictive for a premium card. Purchases above these monthly limits earn at the 1% base rate.
High income requirements: This card may be less accessible.
Best American Express card for EV charging
At a glance: The American Express SimplyCash Preferred is a solid option for electric and hybrid vehicle drivers. Even though you earn the base rate of 2% on EV charging, that’s still the highest base earn rate in Canada. And if you need gas on occasion, you’ll earn an impressive 4%. Plus, get insurance coverage and access to Amex benefits.
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Amex SimplyCash Preferred
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Annual fee: $120
Welcome offer: Earn a bonus 10% cash back on all purchases for your first three months (up to $2,000 in purchases) and a $50 statement credit when you make a purchase in month 13 (total value of up to $250).
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Card details
Interest rates21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advancesIncome requiredNone specified Credit score725 or higher
Best no-fee card for EV charging
At a glance: The CIBC Costco Mastercard is a no-fee cash back card for Costco members and a good option for electric and hybrid vehicle drivers. Earn 2% cash back on EV charging and 3% on Costco gas. Purchases at other gas stations earn you 2% rewards. Forget your Costco membership card? Don’t worry—this card is all you need to show at the big warehouse retailer.
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CIBC Costco Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: None at this time.
Card details
Interest rates20.75% on purchases and 22.49% on cash advancesIncome required$15,000 per yearCredit score560 or higher
Pros and cons
Pros
High earn rates: Earn 2% on EV charging and gas purchases not at Costco, and 3% on Costco gas purchases and dining.
Mobile device insurance: Get coverage for up to $1,000—a rarity for no-fee cards.
Accessible: There’s no annual fee and a low income requirement. Plus, with a $50,000 personal or $80,000 household income, you’re eligible for a complimentary upgrade to a World Mastercard.
Free additional cards: Extra earning at no added cost.
Installment payment option: Use the CIBC Pace It installment program to spread the cost of large Costco purchases over several months at a lower interest rate.
Cons
Low earning at Costco: Surprisingly, it’s not the most rewarding card for Costco shopping, earning only 1% back on in-store purchases. (See the best credit cards for shopping at Costco.)
Exclusive to Costco members: Only available to those with a Costco membership ($65).
Limited redemption options: Rewards are issued once a year as a cash back gift certificate only redeemable at Costco.
Earning caps: You’ll only earn on the first $5,000 spent annually on EV charging/gas and on the first $8,000 on Costco.ca purchases.
FAQ about EV charging
Get answers to frequently asked questions about charging electric vehicles in Canada, including charging times and costs, and locations of Petro-Canada charging stations.
How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?
This is a bit like asking how long it takes to fill a pool. The answer depends on the size of the pool, the hose you’re using and even the weather. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, understanding a few key factors will help you estimate charging times, whether you’re topping up overnight or fuelling up on a road trip.
Charging time depends on the power source, the car’s charger and its battery size, and even weather conditions:
The power source: A basic household outlet could take days to fill up an EV—think of it as trickling water into a barrel with a tiny spout. A faster home setup, like a 240-volt charger you’d use for a dryer, cuts that down to just a few hours overnight. Public stations are fast-charging and are the speediest option. Those can juice up your battery in less than an hour.
The vehicle: Take a small battery, like in a Nissan Leaf—it might charge fully in seven to eight hours with a 240-volt setup, or about an hour with a fast charger. A bigger battery, say in a GMC Hummer EV, could take closer to 13 hours at home or around two hours with fast charging.
Weather: Weather can nudge these times a bit—cold or hot days might slow things down—but it’s usually a minor factor. Extreme temperatures, however, can considerably increase charge time. Extreme cold can reduce battery efficiency by around 20% to 40%.
So, charging could range from a quick 20 to 120 minutes at a fast station to a leisurely five to 13 hours at home, depending on your setup and EV.
How much does it cost to charge and electric vehicle?
At home, where most EV owners charge, costs tie into your electricity bill. In a city like Toronto, charging overnight during off-peak hours might run you less than $1 per day—around $300 a year for the average driver. That’s a steal compared to a tank of gas. Rates vary by location and time, though. The cost can be higher during peak hours and in pricier regions.
Public charging stations offer convenience but often come with a fee. Some charge by time (e.g., $0.30 per minute), some charge by energy use (e.g., $0.40/kWh), and some charge a flat rate per session (e.g., $5 to $7 for a quick boost). Energy-based billing is still developing in Canada. Free stations exist too—you may find them near businesses or in parks—but they’re not the norm. Fast-charging spots, like superchargers, tend to cost more for their speed, though they save you time on the go.
The makeup of your EV matters, too. A smaller battery, like in a plug-in hybrid, costs less to fill than a big one in a full electric SUV. Efficiency plays a role as well. More efficient models stretch each charge further, trimming costs.
So, you can expect a range of prices: roughly $0.78 daily at home in a city like Toronto (during off-peak hours) to around $10 for a quick public top-up on the road. Compared to gas-powered vehicles, EVs usually win on savings, especially with smart charging habits.
EV charging stations in Canada
Petro-Canada EV charging
Petro-Canada was the first major gas retailer to expand on Canada’s EV charging infrastructure. In 2019, it opened an EV charging station in Victoria, B.C., marking the completion of Canada’s Electric Highway, the nation’s first coast-to-coast network of fast chargers.
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