EV fleet charger rebates get big bump, for a limited time
Light-duty vehicle rebates for Level 2 chargers doubled to up to $4,000 per station
For a limited time, eligible B.C. municipalities and businesses building light-duty fleets of electric vehicles are eligible for sweetened rebates and support for charging infrastructure.
Under CleanBC's Go Electric programs, rebates for the purchase and installation of Level 2 charging stations for fleets of one or more EVs can access a rebate of up to $4,000 per station, which doubles the former rebate amount. The rebate for Indigenous businesses for Level 2 chargers will rise from $4,000 to $5,000.
For DC fast chargers, the rebate will cover 50% of the cost, up to $20,000 or $50,000 per station, depending on the output of the station. Indigenous businesses and organizations will be eligible for rebates that cover 75% of the cost of a fast-charging station, up to $35,000 or $75,000 per station.
That's in addition to the $3,000 rebate for the purchase EVs for fleets, the same purchase rebate available to the general public in B.C.
According to a recent BC Government news release, many municipalities and regional districts are actively growing their EV fleets. The release cites as an example, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB), which had determined that just under 30% of its greenhouse gas emissions came from fleet vehicles. The RDKB bought its first EV in 2019, added two more in 2020, and the vehicles are now used year-round for both local trips and for travel between offices located at either side of a major mountain pass. The District is now planning to go fully electric with their passenger and light-duty vehicles, along with adding the electrical infrastructure and EV charging equipment to support that evolution.
The BC Government release also notes that Victoria-based Geazone Eco-Courier has embarked on a zero emissions plan that features a mixed fleet of human-powered tricycles, electric cars and fully-electric five-tonne trucks.
Free fleet advisor support also offered
Eligible businesses and municipalities can access up to 40 hours of free support services from a zero-emission vehicle fleet advisor. The support includes consultations, educational sessions, and technical assessments for charging infrastructure upgrades and equipment.
Indigenous Nations and Indigenous-owned businesses also have access to increased supports available through CleanBC Go Electric programming, including higher rebates for public EV charging stations through the Public Charger program announced in September 2020.
For more information and details, see PlugInBC's in-depth information about the Go Electric Fleets program.