Electric vehicle charger rebate program for workplaces
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.
*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.
Workplace applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by our program team to ensure charger eligibility.
Pre-approval from BC Hydro is required before purchasing or installing chargers.
Rebate offer
Workplace owners who purchase and install eligible EV chargers could receive a rebate of up to 50% of those costs. The rebate is available to a maximum of up to $2,000 per charger, and up to $14,000 per workplace, while funding lasts. A business can apply for a maximum of four of their workplace sites, resulting in a maximum project rebate of up to $56,000.
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.
How it works
To begin the rebate process, you'll need to apply for pre-approval. Pre-approval from BC Hydro is required before purchasing or installing chargers.
The three-step pre-approval application takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. 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.
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.
You must complete the project you were pre-approved for and submit your final rebate application within six months of your pre-approval date from BC Hydro.
EV Advisor
EV advisors can provide advice and planning assistance related to EV charging and equipment. Workplaces planning to install EV chargers can get up to five free hours with an EV advisor.
How they can help
In an initial consultation, advisors will collect information about the location and the employees' 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 building 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
To be considered eligible under this program, a workplace must:
- Be located in B.C.
- Have a minimum of five employees that work primarily based on the premises
- Be constructed no later than August 31, 2021. This rebate is for retrofit solutions only, new builds are ineligible.
- Have dedicated parking for employees: the rebated charging stations must be dedicated for the use of employees only, during employee working hours.
The installation must be done by a certified electrician. Consider working with an electrician who has completed the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training program.
Costs eligible for rebate include:
- 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 for up to two years (stations must be connected for a minimum of two years)
- Taxes are not eligible for rebates
Charging stations that are eligible for the rebate must be:
- Ordered, purchased and installed after receiving pre-approval from BC Hydro and after the program reopens
- Purchased and not leased
- Approved for sale and use in Canada and have cUL, ULC, cETL, CSA, or cQPS certification
- A Level 2 charger, 208 volt or 240 volt, 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 is not eligible for rebates at workplaces.
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.
To apply for charger rebate pre-approval at a workplace, you’ll need to provide:
- Quote of work: A copy of the quote for the costs of charger installation and electrical service upgrades (if applicable). The quote should be broken down by activities performed and come from a licensed electrical contractor.
Once pre-approved and finished with the installation, you’ll need to provide:
- Charger invoice(s): 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 time of upload. See a sample invoice [PDF, 61 KB].
- Installation invoice: A copy of the paid invoice for the costs of charger installation and electrical service upgrades (if applicable) from a licensed electrical contractor. See a sample invoice [PDF, 61 KB].
- 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.
- Electrical permit number for the installation.
- If applicable, invoice for other eligible costs.
After submitting your final application, we'll review your documents and, if approved, we'll process your rebate payment within 90 days of the final application submission.
View the program guide for complete eligibility requirements [PDF, 457 KB]