October 26, 2021 – British Columbia’s CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate program is receiving $10 million as part of Budget 2021 to help with the upfront costs that come with electric vehicles.

Condominiums, apartments and workplaces that purchase and install eligible EV chargers can receive a rebate up to 50% of the costs to a maximum of $2000 per charger. Customers who take advantage of the EV Charger Rebate may also have access to top-up rebates through participating municipalities and local governments.

As an example, the province points to the strata council for a condo building in Vancouver’s Olympic Village neighbourhood, which made use of the EV Ready program, as well as federal support to upgrade their building’s electrical infrastructure.

By conducting a load review, the strata council first determined whether there was enough incoming power to support a Level 2 charger for every EV owner. Once this was determined, the strata’s chosen electrical contractor went to work with the base installation, as well as individual chargers for owners who ordered them.

The strata council also ensured a charger was installed in the guest parking.

“While upgrading the electrical and installing the EV chargers was something we were going ahead with anyway, we were pleased to receive quick support from the province through their CleanBC program, as well as from the federal government,” said Jim Bayles, vice-president of strata council.

CleanBC’s EV Ready option supports the adoption of EV infrastructure at apartment and condominium buildings. It provides rebates for the development of EV Ready plans, a strategy for buildings supported by professionals to make at least one parking space per unit EV ready, and the installation of electrical modifications and upgrades needed to support widespread future access to EV charging for residents.

Up to five hours of free support services from an EV charging station adviser are available through the EV Charger Rebate program for condominiums, apartments and workplaces that need help moving from idea to installation.

Single-family homes—including duplexes and townhouses—can get a rebate of up to 50% of purchase and installation costs of an eligible EV charger to a maximum of $350 through the EV Charger Rebate program.