BRITISH COLUMBIA – British Columbians wanting to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) at their condominium building or their place of work can access further funding to help buy and install EV chargers through CleanBC’s Go Electric EV Charger Rebate program.
The Province’s CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate program is receiving $10 million as part of Budget 2021 to help with the upfront costs that come with EVs. Condominiums, apartments and workplaces that purchase and install eligible EV chargers can receive a rebate up to 50 per cent of costs to a maximum of $2,000 per charger. Customers who take advantage of the EV Charger Rebate may have access to top up rebates through participating municipalities and local governments.
The strata council for a condo building in Vancouver’s Olympic Village neighbourhood made use of the EV Ready program, as well as federal support to upgrade their building’s electrical infrastructure. The strata council worked together to first determine, through a load review, if there was enough incoming power to support a level 2 charger for every owner. Once this was determined, the strata’s chosen electrical contractor went to work with the base installation, as well as individual chargers for owners who ordered them. The strata council also ensured a charger was installed in the guest parking.
“The majority of owners in our building came together and gave our strata council approval to make the necessary updates to the building’s infrastructure to support electric vehicle charging where we live,” said Jim Bayles, vice-president of strata council. “While upgrading the electrical and installing the EV chargers was something we were going ahead with anyway, we were pleased to receive quick support from the Province through their CleanBC program as well as from the federal government.”
CleanBC’s EV Ready option supports the adoption of EV infrastructure at apartment and condominium buildings. EV Ready provides rebates for the development of EV Ready plans, a strategy for buildings supported by professionals to make at least one parking space per unit EV ready, and the installation of electrical modifications and upgrades needed to support widespread future access to EV charging for residents.
Up to five hours of free support services from an EV charging station adviser are available through the EV Charger Rebate program for condominiums, apartments and workplaces that need help moving from idea to installation.
Single-family homes, including duplexes and townhouses, can get a rebate of up to 50 per cent of purchase and installation costs of an eligible EV charger to a maximum of $350 through the EV Charger Rebate program.
The Province is providing a range of rebates through its CleanBC Go Electric programs and building out the fast-charging network to ensure the increasing demand for EVs is supported. BC has one of the largest public-charging networks in Canada with more than 2,500 public charging stations throughout the province.
British Columbia is leading the country in transitioning to EVs, with more than 60,000 light-duty EVs on the road.
See press release here.
