Learn more about the many EV charging rebates available in BC!
Electric vehicle ownership has been steadily increasing throughout BC and all across Canada. And as EV ownership has risen, so have sales of EV charging stations, especially given the increase in Canadian and BC EV charging rebate options.
If you’ve begun looking into EV charging rebate options here in BC, you may have a lot of questions. Depending on what kind of charging setup you’re interested in—from single-family to public to commercial charging stations—your rebate options will differ. So today, the EV charging experts at TCA Electric are breaking down all the great rebates available here in BC! Let’s get started.
Single-family home rebates
Many of the earliest EV charger rebates have been for home EV charging stations. These initiatives aimed to help homeowners get the most out of their electric vehicles while promoting greater sustainability in vehicle ownership.
While the first round of funding for BC Hydro’s rebate program was completely used up, new funding has been approved as of April 2021. This means homeowners looking to install an EV charging station can apply to receive a rebate for up to 50% of the cost to install a Level 2 charger, to a maximum of $350. This rebate applies to single-family homes as well as those who own townhouses or duplexes, and it remains an excellent option for homeowners.
Multifamily EV charging rebates
Previously, BC Hydro only offered rebates for chargers installed in single-family homes. With this new round of funding, however, the scope of the program has been expanded, with rebates now available for apartment and condo buildings. BC Hydro’s multifamily EV charging rebates include incentives for creating an installation plan, purchasing and installing chargers, and even making upgrades necessary to ensure the building is “EV Ready.”
In addition to the BC Hydro rebates, both Plug In BC and the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) from NRCAN have provided funds for multi-unit residential EV chargers. While applications for the multifamily portion of the NRCAN program are closed, NRCAN has indicated that they anticipate multiple rounds of funding each year, and the program as a whole is set to run until 2024.
Workplace EV charging rebates
BC Hydro didn’t just expand their program to further residential settings. They also now include incentives for installing workplace EV charging systems. The BC Hydro rebate program now offers rebates of up to $2,000 for installing each eligible Level 2 EV charger for employees to use, up to a maximum of $14,000. This is great news for both businesses whose employees own electric vehicles and for those looking to upgrade their company fleet to EVs.
For this latter group, the current round of ZEVIP funding from NRCAN also applies to on-road and off-road commercial and public fleets. Be sure to check the ZEVIP page on the NRCAN website regularly to stay updated on what forms of EV charging they’re currently funding!
Public EV charging stations
Finally, public EV charging stations have also been incentivized by various rebates here in BC. For these EV chargers, the Plug In BC program is probably the go-to rebate, and incentives range “from up to $20,000 per <50 kW DCFC, to $130,000 per >100 kW DCFC (for Indigenous communities).” Applications to the Plug In BC program are reviewed on a 2-month cycle, so if you miss the upcoming deadline on August 27, you’ll have another chance just around the corner!
As before, ZEVIP funding has also been previously applied to public EV charging stations. While this category is not currently eligible for rebates, a portion of the funding for this program will likely be applied to public chargers once more in the future.
Looking to Apply for an EV Charging Rebate in BC? We can help!
With so many rebate options available, knowing which program to apply for can be overwhelming! Here at TCA Electric, we’ve made it our mission to be Vancouver’s leading experts when it comes to all things EV charging. That includes staying up to date with all the available rebate options here in BC and their various application processes.
If you’re looking to apply for an EV charging rebate in BC, but you’re not sure where or how to start, TCA can help! We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about the process, and we can help you develop a complete EV charging plan for your home, business, or residential property. Contact us today!