What the End of Free A25 Tolls for Electric Vehicles Means for Surrounding Real Estate
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
For nearly a decade, electric vehicle owners in Quebec have enjoyed a unique perk: free access to the A25 toll bridge connecting Montreal and Laval. For residents of East Laval, particularly in Duvernay Est, Val-des-Brises, and nearby neighbourhoods, this benefit quietly reduced commuting costs and made cross-river travel more affordable.
That incentive is now coming to an end.
The Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD) has confirmed that the toll-free program for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the A25 will end on April 1, 2027. After that date, electric vehicle owners will pay the same tolls as other motorists when crossing the bridge.
While this may seem like a small policy change, it carries interesting implications for homeowners, buyers, and real estate investors in Laval's eastern neighbourhoods.
Why the A25 Matters
The A25 bridge serves as one of the most important connections between Montreal's east end and Laval. For many residents of Duvernay Est, Val-des-Brises, and Saint-François, it offers a fast route to employment centres, shopping, and services on both sides of the Rivière des Prairies.
Since 2016, eligible electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in Quebec have been able to cross the bridge without paying tolls, provided they were enrolled in the program and equipped with a transponder. The program was initially designed to encourage EV adoption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Beginning April 1, 2027, that advantage disappears.
Will This Affect Property Values?
The short answer is: probably not in a meaningful way. Real estate values are driven primarily by supply and demand, employment growth, interest rates, household income, school quality, neighbourhood amenities, and transportation infrastructure. A bridge toll of a few dollars per crossing is unlikely to materially impact property values on its own.
However, it could influence buyer psychology. Over the past several years, many commuters justified purchasing electric vehicles based on lower operating costs. Between fuel savings, government incentives, and free access to toll bridges such as the A25 and A30, the economics were attractive. The removal of these benefits slightly narrows the cost advantage of owning an EV.
For buyers comparing different locations, transportation costs always matter. A household crossing the A25 twice daily for work could see annual commuting expenses increase by hundreds of dollars once tolls are reinstated.
What It Means for Duvernay Est
Duvernay Est remains one of Laval's strongest long-term growth sectors.
The neighbourhood offers:
Larger lots than many Montreal boroughs
Newer housing stock
Strong family appeal
Quick access to Highways 25, 440, and 19
Relative affordability compared to many central Montreal neighbourhoods
The removal of the EV toll exemption does not change these fundamentals.
In fact, transportation infrastructure continues to improve throughout Laval's east end. Highway access remains excellent, and ongoing residential development continues to attract families seeking more space without moving too far from Montreal. For most buyers, the toll will be viewed as a transportation expense rather than a deciding factor in where they choose to live.
A Small Shift for Commuters
The bigger impact may be behavioural. Residents who currently use the A25 because it is effectively "free" with an electric vehicle may become more conscious of route selection and commuting patterns.
Some commuters may:
Consolidate trips
Increase use of public transit
Work remotely more frequently
Reevaluate vehicle ownership costs
These are relatively minor adjustments, but they reflect a broader trend: governments are gradually replacing EV incentives as electric vehicles become mainstream rather than niche products.
The Bottom Line for the A25 Tolls
The end of free A25 tolls for electric vehicles represents the removal of a useful commuter perk, not a game-changing event for Laval real estate.
For homeowners and investors in Duvernay Est and surrounding neighbourhoods, the area's value proposition remains largely unchanged. Strong highway connectivity, family-oriented communities, and continued residential growth will remain the key drivers of demand.
What this change does signal is the gradual maturation of the electric vehicle market. As government incentives fade, buyers will increasingly evaluate housing and transportation decisions based on overall convenience, lifestyle, and long-term value rather than temporary financial incentives.
For East Laval residents, the A25 will continue to be one of the region's most important transportation links. Beginning in 2027, however, everyone will be paying their share to use it.
Sources: The A25 toll-free program for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles remains in effect until April 1, 2027, after which tolls will apply to EVs like other vehicles.
