EV charger rebates for multi-unit residential buildings
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. Occasionally, it receives financial support from the Government of Canada. Both BC Hydro and FortisBC administer this program.
The program aims to support apartment, condo and townhome complexes in becoming EV Ready. This includes rebates not just for EV chargers, but for electrical upgrades to become EV Ready.
Pre-approval from BC Hydro is required before purchasing and installing EV chargers.
Program updates
Effective October 1, 2024 – JuiceBox EV chargers notice
Enel X, which manufactures JuiceBox EV chargers, is discontinuing its e-mobility business in North America. This has impacted the online functionality of JuiceBox EV chargers and has resulted in changes to the products that are eligible for our EV charger rebates.
We're continuing to monitor the industry response to develop alternative solutions to continue to support these chargers. If you recently purchased a JuiceBox EV charger(s), please consider reaching out to the manufacturer directly or returning the product to the place of purchase. If you notice any safety defects with your EV charger, please report issues to Transport Canada.
Multi-unit residential building applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by our program team to ensure charger eligibility. The infrastructure portion of the project is still eligible for the EV Ready infrastructure portion of the rebate.
Rebate offers
Options available to apartment, condo and townhome complexes
Provincial rebates are available to support your complex in upgrading to EV charging at residential parking stalls. The standalone EV charger rebate offers support for the purchase of chargers. If your complex is not ready to install chargers, the EV Ready rebates can help get you there. These rebates help subsidize the cost of planning and installing electrical infrastructure to support your EV charging needs.
You can reduce the cost per parking space for installing EV chargers by taking advantage of the EV Ready rebates. They can also help simplify the process to install additional chargers, as more EVs are adopted over time.
EV Ready rebates offer a maximum of $137,000 in funding per apartment, condo or townhome complex. This funding is broken up across the plan, infrastructure and chargers:
- Up to $3,000 for EV Ready plan
- Up to $120,000 for EV Ready infrastructure
- Up to $14,000 for chargers
For the standalone EV charger rebate, there is a $14,000 rebate maximum per apartment, condo or townhome complex. Additionally, the rebate is capped at $1,400 per charger, up to 50% of the costs.
What does 'EV Ready' mean?
EV Ready means getting a complex ready to accommodate high levels of future EV charging. Specifically, it results in a parking space featuring an electrical wiring installation that provides a final connection point in an electrical wiring installation for an EV charger.
An EV Ready plan is a professional document prepared by a licensed electrical contractor and/or electrical engineer. It includes details about how your complex will provide each residential unit with at least one EV Ready parking space.
Stratas or complex owners can hire a licensed electrical contractor or electrical engineer to create their EV Ready plan. After, you can receive a rebate of up to 75% of the costs of creating the plan, up to $3,000, while funding lasts.
An EV Ready plan is required to be eligible for an EV Ready infrastructure rebate.
In order to implement your EV Ready plan, you'll likely need electrical infrastructure installed in your complex. This is considered EV Ready infrastructure.
Strata or complex owners installing EV Ready infrastructure can receive up to 50% of the cost for infrastructure and installation. This rebate is available to a maximum of $600 per parking stall, and a project maximum of $120,000, while funding lasts.
To apply for an EV Ready infrastructure rebate, you must have previously applied for an EV Ready plan rebate. Alternatively, you may apply for both rebates at the same time.
Rebates are available for the cost of purchasing and installing EV chargers at your complex, while funding lasts.
Stratas, complex owners or individual residents can apply for pre-approval to receive a rebate up to 50% of the cost to purchase and install eligible EV chargers. This rebate is capped at $1,400 per charger and up to $14,000 per apartment/condo or townhome complex. Dual-port stations count as two chargers.
You can apply for this rebate regardless of if you have participated in the EV Ready rebates.
How it works
1. 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 and information about your complex. Additionally, you'll need to provide information about the work to be done.
When you've submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation number via email.
2. Once you're pre-approved
After we review your application you'll receive an email within 30 days. This email will indicate whether or not you've been pre-approved, along with a summary of your next steps. Next steps include the deadline to complete your project and submit your paid invoices.
Your contractor will need to complete a contractor installation form. This form needs to be submitted with your final invoices. There are two variations of this document, depending on what you’ve been pre-approved for:
- EV Ready infrastructure rebate (on its own or combined with other rebates): EV Ready contractor installation form A [PDF, 79 KB]
- EV charger rebate only (for complexes that have previously received an EV Ready infrastructure rebate): EV Ready contractor installation form B [PDF, 79 KB]
3. 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 application, you’ll need to provide:
- Your application reference number: Find this in the subject line of the confirmation email you received following 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 [PDF, 82 KB].
- Picture of installed charging station(s): One image 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.
EV Advisor
EV advisors can provide advice and planning assistance related to EV charging and equipment. Condos and apartments planning to install EV chargers can get up to five free hours with an EV advisor.
In an initial consultation, advisors will collect information about the location and the occupants' charging needs. They will also explain your 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 complex managers to help them understand EV charging quotes from contractors.
If you need more than five hours from an advisor, they can provide you with additional service for an hourly rate. Request help from an EV Advisor via email.
Eligibility
These rebates can be combined with other incentives. If combined, it will be capped so that the total incentives don't exceed the total cost of the equipment and installation.
Pre-approval from BC Hydro is required for EV charger rebates before purchasing and installing equipment. Once you've received pre-approval, your project must be completed and your final application submitted within six months.
If your townhome complex has private parking for each unit, you don't need to make all units EV Ready at the same time.
- Individual owners can have the electrical infrastructure and EV charger installed on an as-needed basis.
- The installation for each resident would be defined by the EV Ready plan that was approved for their townhome complex.
- Townhome administrators must first have their EV Ready plan complete and apply for the EV Ready plan. It also must be approved by BC Hydro.
- Unit owners can then apply for the rebate individually.
Townhome complexes that have common property parking stalls must complete the electrical infrastructure upgrades all at once. This includes, for example, parking in an underground parkade. These upgrades must be completed in accordance with your approved EV Ready plan.
For the EV Ready plan, the cost of developing the plan is eligible for rebate. Taxes on these costs are not eligible for rebate.
The following costs are eligible for the EV Ready infrastructure rebate:
- Engineering design services
- Electrical and communication infrastructure installation
- Associated construction costs
- Permit costs
- Utility extension fees
- EV parking signage
Additionally, your building or complex must meet eligibility requirements. Apartments, condos and townhome complexes must have been constructed no later than August 31, 2021. This rebate is for retrofit solutions only, new builds are ineligible. Buildings built after municipal bylaws came into effect requiring EV Ready parking are not eligible for EV Ready rebates.
The installation of chargers and/or infrastructure must be done by a certified electrician. Electrical permits are required. Consider working with an electrician who has completed the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training program.
The following costs are eligible under the EV charger rebate:
- Purchasing the charging station
- Labour and construction costs for installation of the charging station and associated conduit
- Site assessments including analysis of electrical capacity, review of panel capacity and infrastructure, and identification of design options
- Electrical and related permits
- Parking and electrical design required by the charging stations and conduit
- EV parking signage
- Network connection fees (stations must be connected for a minimum of two years)
- Taxes are not eligible for rebates
Additionally, the installed chargers must meet the following criteria:
- Purchased and not leased
- Approved for sale and use in Canada and have cUL, ULC, cETL, CSA, or cQPS certification
- A Level 2 charger, 208V or 240V, and feature a SAE J1772 standard plug head
- New, not used or refurbished
- A hardwired charging station or plug-in charger model
- A networked charging station that is connected to a central system via internet communication such as open protocol (e.g. OCPP, OpenADR or other) or a proprietary system (must be connected to a network for minimum of two years)
The Tesla Wall Connector with the proprietary adapter is not eligible for rebates at apartment, condo or townhome complexes. However, Tesla's Universal Wall Connector with the integrated J1772 adapter is eligible.
Find EV chargers eligible for rebates
How to apply
Already pre-approved? Complete your application
Required documentation
Make sure you have the necessary documents ready before you start your pre-approval application. Each rebate has unique documentation requirements.
EV Ready plan: A copy of the EV Ready plan that was created for you/your property. Make sure it meets the requirements.
EV Ready plan workbook: Our template for documenting how your EV Ready plan will be implemented, completed by the professional who created your EV Ready plan.
Download the EV Ready Plan template [XLSX, 38 KB].
EV Ready plan invoice: A copy of the paid invoice from the electrical contractor and/or professional engineer for the costs (broken down by activities performed) to create the EV Ready plan. If these costs aren't due until the EV Ready infrastructure is installed, upload the quote for the plan instead.
- Infrastructure installation quote: A copy of the quote from the electrical contractor for the costs (broken down by activities performed) to install the electrical infrastructure required to implement your EV Ready plan.
If you're applying for this rebate on its own, you'll need to provide a copy of your previously approved EV Ready plan and workbook.
If you're applying for only the charger rebate, and you haven't received an EV Ready rebate in the past:
- Quote of work: A copy of the quote for the costs of the EV charger, charger installation and electrical service upgrades (if applicable). The quote should be broken down by activities performed and come from a licensed electrical contractor.
Additionally, if you're applying in combination with an EV Ready infrastructure rebate, you'll need:
- EV Ready plan
- EV Ready plan workbook
In this case, your charge and infrastructure quotes may be combined.
- View the program guide [PDF, 462 KB] for complete eligibility requirements