Green Economy Canada is excited to announce a new $3.9M incentive program for EV charging stations. The EV Charger Incentive Program is funded by Natural Resources Canada and will reimburse up to 50% of the cost of installing EV charging stations. The program was announced on Friday February 4th with Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Priyanka Lloyd, Executive Director of Green Economy Canada.
A key part of achieving Canada’s net-zero climate targets will be reducing transportation-related emissions, which account for 25% of Canada’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One of the barriers to buying electric vehicles (EVs) is the lack of access to charging stations. The EV Charger Incentive Program will provide up to $100,000 per recipient to support the installation of EV Chargers across Canada.
The program is open to legally incorporated for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in Canada who are interested in installing new EV charging infrastructure in public places, on-street, multi-unit residential buildings, workplaces and for light-duty vehicle fleets. The funding is available between February 4, 2022 and March 31, 2024, until the funding is depleted. The program’s operations are also kindly being sponsored in part by TD Bank.
We know that marginalized communities are often disproportionately impacted from climate change, and it’s important to ensure that they are also fully engaged in benefitting from the opportunities of a low-carbon transition. As part of supporting the transition to this shift to an inclusive and equitable low-carbon future, our program is focusing the first 45 days on reviewing applications from organizations that self-identify as being majority-led or owned by individuals belonging to an Underrepresented Group, or organizations that primarily serve populations who would be considered an Underrepresented Group. These groups include, but are not limited to, those that self-identify as women, 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous peoples, racialized peoples, youth (under 30 years old), and persons with disabilities.
All other organizations can still apply during this initial 45 day reserved window, but their applications will not be reviewed until after March 21st, 2022. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, so there is value to all interested applicants in submitting their application early
There are a number of business benefits to installing EV charging stations, including strengthening relationships with customers and employees, increasing property value, cutting carbon emissions, and visibly demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. Taking steps now to adopt EVs and EV charging also helps to future-proof businesses as Canada transitions to 100% of light-duty vehicle sales being zero emission vehicles by 2035.
“We’re thrilled to have received this investment from NRCan to help accelerate the adoption of EVs by making EV charging more affordable and accessible across the country,” says Priyanka Lloyd, Executive Director of Green Economy Canada. “Reducing transportation-related emissions is one of the best ways organizations can tackle climate change while saving money, engaging their employees, and strengthening their reputation as good corporate citizens.”
We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more accessible for Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” said the the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources. “Investing in more EV chargers, like the ones announced today in Alberta, New Brunswick and Ontario, will put more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a net-zero future and help achieve our climate goals.
To learn more about the program check out our website or 1 hour webinar with our Partnerships Manager Donald Jantz. If you’re interested in going beyond EV charging to learn how to green your operations, contact us: info@greeneconomy.ca