EV Funding (ZEVIP)
Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP)
Get up to 50% back for installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations
Program is fully subscribed
We are no longer accepting applications for ZEVIP as our funding is fully allocated.
NRCan has announced additional organizations to deliver ZEVIP funding. We encourage those interested in participating to visit NRCan’s Successful Applicant’s webpage to learn more.
WATCH THE WEBINAR:
Lead the Charge with ZEVIP Funding
Learn how to take advantage of new funding for EV chargers
As part of Canada’s mandate to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the Government of Canada has set an ambitious and mandatory target of every new light-duty vehicle and passenger truck being zero-emission by 2035 and is making investments to ensure this happens.
One of the key barriers to zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption is the lack of charging stations.
With the goal to break down barriers associated with EV adoption, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is funding EV infrastructure projects through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP).
Hydro Ottawa has been selected as a delivery organization to distribute ZEVIP funding.
Funding is limited and going fast!
Funding will be prioritized to eligible applicants for charging stations in Ottawa. Funding is limited and will be disbursed on a first come, first served basis.
Once fully subscribed, applications will be placed on a waitlist to be processed if and when additional funding becomes available.
Applicants do not need to be Hydro Ottawa customers to be eligible.

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Are you ready to lead the charge?
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include legal entities, validly incorporated or registered in Canada. Installed equipment must be a permanent and new installation (replacement equipment is not eligible) for one of the following uses:

Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
Buildings with at least 3 units.

Public Places
Parking areas intended for public use, including service stations, retail, restaurants, medical offices, and more.

Workplaces
Workplaces where electric vehicle chargers are primarily used by employees.

Light-Duty Fleets
Electric vehicle chargers for fleets used in support of business activities, including taxis and delivery trucks.

On-Street Parking
On-street electric vehicle charging for public use.
Private residences, even if a business is registered at the location, are not eligible.
Federal Government entities, such as Federal Departments, Federal Crown Corporations, and Federal Agencies are not eligible.
The Initiative Includes:
- Ongoing application support
- Up to $100,000 in funding per application
- Up to 50% of project costs back for the purchase and installation of EV charging stations
Available EV Charger Incentives
LEVEL 2 CHARGING | ||
---|---|---|
EV Charger | Output | Funding Incentive |
Level 2 (208 / 240 V) connectors | 3.3kW to 19.2kW | Up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per connector. |
LEVEL 3 CHARGING | ||
---|---|---|
EV Charger | Output | Funding Incentive |
Fast charger | 20kW to 49kW | Up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $15,000 per charger. |
Faster charger | 50kW to 99Kw | Up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $50,000 per charger. |
Fastest charger | 100kW and above | Up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $75,000 per charger. |
Eligible Costs Include:
- EV chargers, related equipment and infrastructure
- Rental or leasing costs
- Licences and permits
- HST net of any rebates
- Professional services, such as engineering, construction, installation and more
- Environmental assessment costs
Comparing EV Chargers
Level 2
Type
Level 2 (208 / 240 V) connectors
Output
3.3kW to 19.2kW
Typical Charge Time (200km)
- The most common type of charger
- 240-volt power source, similar to that of an oven or clothes dryer
- Best suited where there is an opportunity for a longer charge time, such as during the day at a workplace or public location, or overnight charging

Level 3 / Fast Chargers
Type
Level 3
DC Fast Charger | DC Faster Charger | DC Fastest Charger |
---|---|---|
Output20kW to 49kW | Output50kW to 99kW | Output100kW + |
Typical Charge Time (200km)
- The quickest way to charge a battery
- 480V direct current (DC) source rated over 50 Amperes and up to 300 Amperes
- Best suited to service stations, large shopping complexes and applications where recharging is necessary in a very short period of time

How To Apply
Program funding is fully subscribed
New applications will be placed on a waitlist should additional funding become available.
To join the waitlist, please complete the application process and submit all required documentation. Waitlisted applications will be processed in the order received, and funding will be prioritized to projects in Ottawa.
STEP ONE: Get pre-approved for funding
Before you purchase and install your equipment, we will pre-approve your application and notify you of how much funding you qualify for.
Complete the online application form to begin your pre-approval process. You will receive a follow-up email requesting the following information:
- An estimate or quote detailing the type and quantity of charger(s), including a summary of all eligible costs
- A specification sheet for each type of eligible charger
- A signed Participant Agreement
Complete applications with all required documentation will be placed on a waitlist to be processed should additional funding become available.
STEP TWO: Commit to the project within 90 Days
After you have been pre-approved, you will have 90 days to secure your funding by submitting a signed quote or purchase order.
Should there be any changes to your project, please notify us immediately so that we can re-approve your project’s eligibility and ensure available funding.
STEP THREE: Complete your project within one year
You will need to complete your project within one year of pre-approval. After your project is complete, we will ask you to provide supporting invoices, proof of payment as well as photos of the installation. Once we have reviewed and approved your final project, you will receive a cheque for your rebate amount.
Join the waitlistContact us today to learn more about this funding initiative and how to take advantage of this limited-time offer.
613-738-5474[email protected]Frequently Asked Questions
The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) is a federally-funded 5-year $280 million program ending in 2024. The program is being managed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Its objective is to address the lack of charging and refuelling stations in Canada; one of the key barriers to ZEV adoption.
For more information, visit the NRCan website.
The program will fund up to 50% of the total eligible project costs. Incentive amounts are capped at a certain amount per charger type. Total funding is limited to less than $100,000 per application.
Eligible project costs must be directly related to the installation of EV chargers and will include:
- Professional services, salaries and benefits (e.g. scientific, technical, management; contracting; engineering; construction; installation, testing and commissioning of equipment; training; marketing; data collection; logistics; maintenance; printing; distribution);
- Capital expenses, including informatics and other equipment or infrastructure;
- Rental fees or leasing costs;
- License fees and permits;
- Costs associated with Environmental Assessments; and
- GST, PST and HST net of any tax rebate to which the recipient is entitled.
For more information on eligible project costs, please contact our program representatives at [email protected] or at 613-738-5474
Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada including not-for-profit and for-profit organizations such as:
- Electricity or gas utilities
- Companies
- Industry associations
- Research associations
- Standards organizations
- Indigenous and community groups
- Academic institutions
- Provincial, territorial, regional or municipal governments or their departments or agencies (federal government is not eligible)
- Condominium corporations
- Property management groups
- Federal Government entities, such as Federal Departments, Federal Crown Corporations, and Federal Agencies are not eligible.
For a complete list of federal organizations, click here - Private residences, even if a business is registered at the location
- Private landlords
- Private individuals
The location of the charging station must fit into one of the following categories:
Public Places: Public places are defined as parking areas intended for public use. Parking areas can be privately or publicly owned and operated. Examples of public places include, but are not limited to: service stations; retail; restaurants; arenas; libraries; medical offices; park and ride; etc.
On-Street: On-street charging is considered curbside charging infrastructure for public use and is managed by local governments.
Workplaces: A workplace is defined as a location where employees perform duties related to a job. Charging infrastructure must be primarily used by the employees.
Charging infrastructure installations at a private residence, even if a business is registered at the same address, are not included in this category.
Light-Duty Vehicle Fleets: A light-duty vehicle is considered as having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than or equal to 3,856 kg. Light-duty fleet vehicles are owned or leased by an organization and used in support of organizational or business operations and activities. Light-duty vehicle fleets are composed of multiple vehicles and are managed by common ownership. Examples of light-duty vehicle fleets include a fleet of taxis, car rentals, municipal vehicles, car sharing, etc.
Multi-Unit Residential Building (MURB): MURB charging is defined as infrastructure in parking spaces where people live. For the purpose of the program, to be designated as a MURB the building must include a minimum of three (3) dwelling units.
No, private residences, even if a business is registered at the location, are not eligible.
Are communal parking lots at condos or parking garages in residential settings eligible for funding?
Yes, provided that it is a communal parking space and not privately owned.
No, in order to be eligible, the installed equipment must be a permanent installation, and be new equipment or an expansion of an existing infrastructure. Replacement of failed equipment is not eligible.
No, there are no requirements on usage fees of the EV charging equipment.
There is no minimum number of chargers for this phase of the program through Hydro Ottawa.
Yes, you may submit one application with multiple property locations providing the participant listed in the application is the same for each property. The program funding is limited to less than $100,000 per application. If choosing to combine multiple properties under one application, we will not be able to make a payment until all installations have been completed and paid for.
Yes, all chargers must have the ability to communicate to other stations and/or to a server or the cloud through cellular/wireless signal or connected vehicle communications using software to report on usage and/or other capabilities such as providing real-time status of charging stations.
Chargers must be commercially available and certified for use in Canada (for example, CSA, ULC, UL, Interlink).
Level 2 (208 / 240 V) connectors
3.3 kW to 19.2 kW
The charger must have a SAE J1772 standard plug head or be a proprietary connector type.
Level 3 Direct Current Fast Chargers
The direct current fast charger must have one or more of the following connector types: CHAdeMO, SAE J1772 Combo (CCS) or be a proprietary connector type, or another Charging Station approved by the Program Operators.
Proprietary connector types cannot exceed 75% of all charging connectors installed at the same project site.
Two things are important. The capacity of your service equipment and the peak demand of your facility. If you are not aware of the capacity of your service equipment, visit this page, and connect with our commercial supervisor. In order to confirm the peak demand of your facility, you can check your demand and consumption on the “Usage” tab of your MyAccount profile on our website (commercial customers only).
If it’s determined that an upgrade to your service is required, you would do so on the electrical service requests page.
Our team of specialists would be pleased to provide you with more information. You can contact our team by email at [email protected] or by phone at 613-738-5474.