EV Charger Rebates…Get your application in ASAP!
**UPDATE October 11 2019**
BC Hydro announced this week that the Tesla Wall Connector is an eligible charger for single family home rebate applicants only. It is now included in the this program!
The Province of British Columbia has recently launched its new EV Charging Incentive program for Multi-Unit Residences, Workplaces and Single Family Homes.
Not to be critical, but the rapid evolution of these programs has been a little messy with confusing changes to program criteria, funding amounts and terms.
In 2016, the “Multi Unit Residential Building Charging Program” was a starting point for condo dwelling EV owners to get some charging hardware installed in their building. Applicants could access funding up to $4,500 or 75% of total costs per single Level 2 charging station, a dual port station would receive up to $9,000 or 75% of total costs. I was not surprising that program funds were fully committed in a matter of months
In early 2018 we saw a program refresh, now called “Charging Solutions and Incentives.” MURBS were still the main focus but now received a little less with 75% of project costs up to $4,000 per Level 2 station (max of 2 stations per property).
A new aspect of this sequel was the Workplace Charging Incentive, and was open to British Columbia registered businesses with a minimum of 5 employees who work primarily on the premises. The incentive covers up to 50% of project costs up to $4,000 per Level 2 station or $2,000 per Level 1 station Lastly, the CSI program also offered $750 purchase incentive for Single Family Home chargers. The program also offered a free EV advisor service, which meant strata’s and workplaces received consulting hours to help with their project.
Initially, the CSI program excluded Tesla Charging hardware and J1772 units that had the NEMA Plug-In option, but after a few weeks of contention this was amended to include both of these criteria. The funding for the CSI program was supposed to run into 2020 but ended after a few months with the huge volume of applications.
On September 26th, the Province (in conjunction with BC Hydro and Fortis BC) released its 3rd version, now named “B.C.’s EV charger rebate program.”
What you should know:
- Tesla Charging Hardware are not eligible; all charging hardware need to be SAE J1772 compatible,
- Single Family Homes need to have a permanent charger installation; wall mounted is permitted if there is a 240-volt outlet available,
- Single Family Home chargers can be non-networked stations,
- MURB installations need to be networked chargers,
- The incentive cannot be combined with incentives from ZAPBC.
Incentive amounts
- Single-family homes: Up to 50% of purchase and installation costs of eligible, new, Level 2 charging equipment, to a maximum of $350 per approved charging station. For a limited time, BC Hydro is matching the $350 Province’s offer for single-family homes, allowing you to get up to a $700 rebate for the purchase and installation of an eligible EV charger.
- *Constructed prior to municipal bylaws: Up to 50% of purchase and installation costs of eligible, new, Level 2 (208-volt or 240-volt) charging stations or energized outlets to a maximum of $14,000 (no more than $2,000 per station). Dual-port stations count as two.
- *Constructed after municipal bylaws: Up to 50% of purchase and installation costs of eligible, new, Level 2 (208-volt or 240-volt) charging stations to a maximum of $5,000 (no more than $350 per station). Dual-port stations count as two.
- Workplaces: Up to 50% of purchase and installation costs of eligible, new, Level 2 charging equipment, to a maximum of $14,000 (no more than $2,000 per station). Pre-approval is required.
*The wording about municipal bylaws pertains to the specific Municipalities that have adopted bylaws for EV hardware integration into new MURB Builds. For example, Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Port Moody, North Vancouver and some others currently have this bylaw in effect.
Our opinion
**With Tesla dominating EV deliveries in our region, it’s disappointing to see that, once again, Tesla Charging hardware is excluded from the new incentive program. Even though the J1772 is considered the industry standard in North America, the sheer volume of Model 3’s delivered in the last quarter has established a case of market dominance and should be a solid argument for inclusion.
Tesla owners still have access to a variety of charging hardware while using their Tesla J1772 connector that supports charging up to 19.2 kW. Check out the list of eligible chargers here**
Monetary Incentives are always welcome, and are key to supporting the rapid adoption of EV’s in our region. However, given the cost of many MURB retrofits, the $4.5 million will dissolve very quickly and we will be back into waitlist mode.
Presently, the flaw in delivering these incentives effectively, is the inability for strata corporations to manage owners requests for installation. The nimbyism and knee jerk reaction to applications have been extensive, bitter and frustrating for so many condo dwellers and this needs to change. It is time that the Province of BC and Union of BC Municipalities push to amend the Strata Property Act and implement legislation that allows EV owners to setup EV charging without being refused by the strata corporation. This change in legislation has been successfully adopted in other regions like Ontario and California so what is holding BC back?
We suggest that you get your application documentation together and apply as soon as possible. A full breakdown of eligibility criteria can be located online at this link. The program website and online application form is located at this link
If you are interested in installing EV charging infrastructure in in your Multi Unit Residential Building, workplace or single family home, call Cielo Electric for a fully comprehensive site assessment. Ph: 778-862-4109 or visit www.cieloelectric.ca
