EV Connection Resources

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment or EVSE refers to the charging infrastructure and equipment necessary for charging electric vehicles (EVs). It typically consists of a charging station along with the associated hardware and software (e.g. EV energy management systems) that enables the transfer of electricity from the power grid to the EV’s battery. 

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSEs) come in different forms that include Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 chargers.

• Level 1 chargers use standard household outlets (120V) and provide slower charging rates.
• Level 2 chargers require a dedicated circuit (208/240V) with outputs of 3.3 kW to 19.2 kW and provide faster charging times than Level 1
• Level 3 or DC Fast Chargers provide high-power charging rates with outputs of 20 kW to 100 kW and above, and require 480V or higher.  They are capable of charging an EV’s battery up to 80 per cent in a relatively short time.

The Electric Vehicle Preliminary Consultation Report or EVPCR is an official response to a customer’s EV Preliminary Consultation Information Request and provides high-level connection feasibility information to the customer.  It is intended to assist in completing a potential written request, should the customer decide to proceed with a connection.

It is important to note that the information provided in the EVPCR is based on information and records available at the time it was issued and is subject to change without notice.  It does not consider the full range of technical evaluations that would be performed by Hydro Ottawa prior to delivering an Offer to Connect.

EVPCR is issued to the customer within 15 calendar days from the date the request is submitted.

To submit a request, please refer to the EV Preliminary Consultation Information Request.

No.  Hydro Ottawa does not hold or reserve capacity for the EVSE project after issuing the EVPCR.  Capacity is allocated on a first come first serve basis and is reserved only after an offer to connect (OTC) has been issued and signed by the customer in accordance with the distribution system code and EV charging connection procedures requirements.

An offer to connect or OTC is an official offer by Hydro Ottawa to connect the customer to its distribution system.

The OTC will contain information including, but not limited to the following components:

• Contact information (primary points of contact for both the customer and Hydro Ottawa)
• Description of the connection 
• Scope of work
  • Hydro Ottawa work
  • Customer work
• Cost summary 
• Service conditions for energization
• Alternative bid option (if applicable)
• Payment methods and payment schedule
• Other terms and conditions
• Contract acceptance (signature page)