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The province is increasing rebates for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging stations.

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British Columbians can access more in EV charger rebates

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 12:23 PDT, Fri May 20, 2022

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The province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are aiming to make it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses, and communities.

B.C. residents, businesses, and municipalities can receive higher rebates for EV charging stations through the CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate and Fleets programs. For a limited time, funding will cover as much as 75 per cent of eligible purchase and installation costs for EV charging stations, which is an increase from the previous 50 per cent coverage.

"With electric vehicles representing 13 per cent of all new light-duty vehicles sold in B.C. last year, our province has the strongest adoption rate of electric vehicles in Canada. We're positioning ourselves to become leaders in the EV industry," said Bruce Ralston, B.C.'s Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation. "We're working with our federal partners to increase rebates for home, workplace, and fleet charging, and making it easier and more affordable for people to make the switch to electric vehicles."

With a $2-million investment through NRCan's Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) to top up the province's EV Charger Rebate program, workplaces, condominiums, and apartments can get a rebate for a Level 2 charging station for as much as 75 per cent of purchase and installation costs to a maximum of $5,000. As many as 360 EV chargers will be installed through the program.

"We're making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more accessible where Canadians live, work, and play," said Jonathan Wilkinson, federal Minister of Natural Resources. "Investing in more EV chargers, like the ones announced (this week) in British Columbia, will put more Canadians in the driver's seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals."

Through the CleanBC Go Electric Fleets program and in support of B.C. businesses that own and operate fleet vehicles, NRCan has invested $1.54 million through ZEVIP to top up rebates. Fleet operators can get combined rebates from NRCan and the province for a Level 2 charging station as much as 75 per cent to a maximum of $5,000 of purchase and installation costs, and 75 per cent to a maximum of $75,000 for a direct-current, fast-charging station. As many as 450 EV chargers will be installed through the program.

A direct-current fast charger allows an EV to get 100 to 300 kilometres of range from 30 minutes of charging. Faster chargers, which give more range in less time, are coming out every year.

A Level 2 charger allows an EV to get approximately 30 kilometres of range per hour of charging. It uses approximately the same voltage as a clothes dryer and is usually installed in homes, workplaces, or for fleets to get a faster charge than a regular outlet, or in public places where people might park for a longer time.

To learn more about home and workplace EV charging-station rebates, eligibility and application processes, visit: https://goelectricbc.gov.bc.ca/

To learn more about the Fleets program, visit: https://pluginbc.ca/go-electric-fleets/