About the program
Rebates are available to help homes and workplaces across B.C. get ready for electric vehicles (EVs). The program is funded by the Government of B.C.’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, with financial support from the Government of Canada, and is administered by BC Hydro and FortisBC.
The program provides apartment and condo buildings with rebates not just for the EV chargers, but also for the electrical upgrades needed to make the building EV Ready.
Pre-approval from BC Hydro is required for EV Ready infrastructure and EV charger rebates.
What does ‘EV Ready’ mean?
EV Ready means getting a building ready to accommodate high levels of future EV charging. Specifically, it results in a parking space featuring an energized outlet with a cover that provides a final connection point in an electrical wiring installation for a Level 2 EV charger.
Increased charger rebates for apartment/condos and workplaces have ended
Natural Resource Canada's (NRCan) Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure funding that enabled the EV Charger Rebate Program to offer increased rebates as of April 1, 2022 for the apartment/condo and workplace offers has now been allocated. Rebate values have returned to their regular amounts. The NRCAN funding was available on a first come first serve basis until the additional funding had been used.
Rebate offers
Options available to apartment and condo buildings
If your building is in the process of planning upgrades to support EV charging at its residential parking stalls, there are provincial rebates available to help. There's the standalone EV charger rebate offer, as well as EV Ready rebates, which help subsidize the cost of planning and installing the necessary electrical infrastructure to support your current or future EV charging needs.
By taking advantage of the EV Ready rebates, you can reduce the cost per parking space for installing EV chargers (versus only installing a few chargers at a time), and it greatly simplifies the process to install additional chargers as more EVs are adopted over time.
Rebate maximums for each option
EV READY REBATES
STANDALONE EV CHARGER REBATE
- Up to $3,000 for EV Ready plan
- Up to $120,000 for EV Ready infrastructure
- Up to $14,000 for chargers
- Up to $14,000 for chargers per apartment/condo complex
TOTAL: $137,000 per apartment/condo complex
TOTAL: $14,000 per apartment/condo complex
EV Advisor
Condos and apartments looking to install EV chargers can get up to five hours of free advice and planning assistance from an expert in EV charging and equipment.
How they can help
In an initial consultation, advisors will collect information about the location and the occupants’ charging needs, and explain different charging options. This is a high-level review, not a substitute for an electrician or electrical engineer. Advisors can also work with stratas and building managers to help them understand EV charging quotes from contractors.
If you require more than five hours from an advisor, they can provide you with additional services at an hourly rate. Request help from an EV Advisor via email.
Eligibility
Pre-approval required
Pre-approval from BC Hydro is required for the EV Ready infrastructure and EV charger rebates. It’s not required for the EV Ready plan rebate. You’ll need to apply for and receive pre-approval before purchasing or installing any infrastructure or chargers.
Once you’ve received pre-approval, your project must be completed and your final application submitted within six months.
Application process
Apply for pre-approval
When you have your documents ready, proceed to the application form. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete the three-step application form. You’ll be asked to provide your contact details, information about your building, and the work to be done.
When you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation number via email.
Once you’re pre-approved
After we review your application, and within 30 days, we’ll send you an email indicating whether or not you’ve been pre-approved. That email will provide a summary of next steps, including your deadline to complete your project and submit your paid invoices.
Get your electrician to complete the required document:
One of the documents you’ll need to submit with your final invoices is a document that needs to be completed by your electrician. There are two variations of this document.
IF YOU'VE BEEN PRE-APPROVED FOR:
YOUR ELECTRICIAN MUST COMPLETE:
EV Ready infrastructure rebate (on its own or combined with other rebates)
EV charger rebate only (for buildings that have previously received an EV Ready infrastructure rebate)
Submit your final application
You have six months from your pre-approval date to complete the project and, come back to submit your final application. In your final application, you’ll need to provide:
- Your application reference number – Find this in the subject line of the confirmation email you received when you submitted your pre-approval application (e.g. SC-000123).
- Charger invoice – A complete copy of the paid, itemized receipt for eligible charger(s). Must include retailer’s name, address and phone number. If this cost is included with the installation invoice, you can indicate this at the time of upload.
- Installation invoice – A copy of the paid invoice for the cost of the charger and/or electrical infrastructure installation labour and construction by a licensed electrician. See a sample invoice.
- Picture of installed charging station(s) – One picture per station if multiple stations are part of your application.
- Proof of charger internet connectivity – A screenshot of the back-end network operating system that shows that the charging stations are connected to the network.
- A copy of the appropriate completed contractor form (see variations above)
Then, we’ll review your documents and if everything meets the requirements, we’ll process your rebate payment within 90 days.
View the program guide for complete eligibility requirements