The Government of Canada has launched a new Request for Proposals (RFP) under the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), with the goal to deploy thousands more electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the country.
The new RFP under ZEVIP will support the installation of EV chargers in both public and private locations. Public chargers will be deployed in high-traffic areas such as highways and public lots, while private chargers will be installed in multi-unit residential buildings, workplaces, and locations servicing on-road vehicle fleets.
According to the criteria listed in the RFP, eligible projects include those that have SAE J3400 connectors, more commonly known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), which Tesla developed and has rapidly become the industry norm.
Tesla has previously applied and been successful in receiving government funding to build 14 Supercharger stations with 129 charging stalls in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, so it would not be surprising to see Tesla apply and be successful once again.
| Type of infrastructure | Output | Maximum funding | Maximum funding for Indigenous businesses and communities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 (208/240 V) connector | 3.3 kW to 19.2 kW | Up to 50% of total project costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per connector* | Up to 75% of total project costs, to a maximum of $7,500 per connector* |
| Fast charger | 20 kW to 49 kW | Up to 50% of total project costs, to a maximum of $15,000 per charger | Up to 75% of total project costs, to a maximum of $22,500 per charger |
| Fast charger | 50 kW to 99 kW | Up to 50% of total project costs, to a maximum of $50,000 per charger | Up to 75% of total project costs, to a maximum of $75,000 per charger |
| Fast charger | 100 kW to 199 kW | Up to 50% of total project costs, to a maximum of $75,000 per charger | Up to 75% of total project costs, to a maximum of $112,500 per charger |
| Fast charger | 200 kW and above | Up to 50% of total project costs, to a maximum of $100,000 per charger | Up to 75% of total project costs, to a maximum of $150,000 per charger |
The federal government’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to deploy 84,500 EV chargers across Canada. This includes contributions from ZEVIP, the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative, and various incentive programs. Federal investments have already supported approximately 20% of the nearly 30,000 public chargers currently in operation, with a 70% increase in EV chargers recorded from 2022 to 2023.
To assist in the strategic placement of future chargers, the Government of Canada has developed the National Public EV Charging Planning Map. This tool helps identify areas with the greatest need for public charging infrastructure, and proposed projects in the identified charging corridors may be given priority over others.
Applications for the RFP are being accepted until September 19. The government said it will make funding decisions within 100 calendar days, and agreements signed within 3 months. All approved projects will need to be completed within 30 months.
