The CleanBC Go Electric Program is intended to encourage and accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in British Columbia (B.C.) for both their environmental and economic benefits.

The CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program is a sub-program of the CleanBC Go Electric Program and is intended to increase the number of public Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) stations throughout B.C. to support the growing number of ZEVs on the road.

The CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program is currently prioritizing applications for projects that fill geographic gaps in rural, northern, and Indigenous communities. Applications in urban communities with high ZEV uptake, high concentrations of multi-unit residential buildings, or other densification rationale for requiring more fast charging will also be given strong priority.

The Program aims to fill current gaps in the public DCFC network in B.C. such as Indigenous communities, rural and northern areas, and city centers experiencing long queues for DCFCs due to high ZEV uptake.

The presentation from the program information webinar held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 is now available to download from the link below. The next webinar for the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program will be held after the next application deadline is announced.

Applications are reviewed in cycles throughout the year. The application window is currently closed and we are not accepting new applications for the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program. The previous application submission deadline was Friday, 17th May 2024. The application window will be opened once the next application deadline is announced. You can sign up for email updates using the link given below.

 

Rebates

Rebate amounts range from up to $20,000 per <50 kW DCFC, to $130,000 per >100 kW DCFC (for Indigenous communities). Additional funding is available for Level 2 chargers. Exact amounts for different charger outputs are shown in the table below.

Maximum Rebate Amount
$20,000

for ≥20 kW, but <50 kW DCFCs

(up to 50% of project costs, or 75% for tandem installations*)

$50,000

≥50 kW, but <100 kW DCFCs

(up to 50% of project costs, or 75% for tandem installations)

$80,000

≥100 kW DCFCs

(up to 50% of project costs, or 75% for tandem installations)

$5,000

Level 2**: ≥32 amps

(up to 50% of costs)

Maximum Rebate Amount for Indigenous Communities
$50,000

≥20 kW, but <50 kW DCFCs

(up to 90% of project costs)

$100,000

≥50 kW, but <100 kW DCFC

(up to 90% of project costs)

$130,000

≥100 kW DCFC

(up to 90% of project costs)

$7,500

Level 2**: ≥32 amps

(up to 90% of costs)

*tandem installations are more than one DCFCs installed at the same location. It also refer to a DCFC co-located with a Level 2 charger or two Level 2 stations meeting requirements in section 3.2.1 of the program guide (minimum 32 A; higher power preferred) to provide redundancy to the site

**208/240 V – only eligible as part of an approved DCFC installation or in special circumstances noted in the program guide.

Pilot Projects

DCFC or Level 2 pilot projects (e.g., for battery storage, off-grid, curbside, and other innovative public charging applications) may be considered through this Program if they are able to demonstrate public benefit. Specific eligibility criteria may be developed for pilot projects.

Pilot projects are eligible for the following funding amounts*:

Maximum rebate amount per charging port
$80,000

DCFC: ≥20 kW**

(up to 50% of project costs)

$5,000

Level 2: ≥32 amps

(up to 50% of costs)

Maximum rebate amount per charging port for Indigenous Communities
$130,000

DCFC: ≥20 kW**

(up to 90% of project costs)

$7,500

Level 2: ≥32 amps

(up to 90% of costs)

*Applications to the Public Charger Program for the completion of the Electric Highway are not subject to these maximum rebate amounts. Up to $10M from the Public Charger Program may be allocated for the Electric Highway initiative to fill remote gaps that are
otherwise not logistically or financially feasible.

**Pilot project rebate amounts are not solely based on power output; each project will be assessed on an individual basis. However, a minimum output of 20 kW is required to access DCFC rebate amounts. The DCFC funding tiers in Section 3.1 will generally apply unless the project can demonstrate the potential for significant technological advancement or public benefit in B.C.

Eligibility

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must apply and be approved for Program rebate(s) before any costs are incurred. Any costs incurred before approval was received will not be eligible for a rebate(s) and cannot be counted toward eligible expense totals. After approval is received, applicants will have 18 months to complete projects and submit final documentation.

To be eligible for the Program an applicant must:

  • Be the current site owner or have approval (in writing) from the site owner to install the charging infrastructure for a minimum ten-year period; and,
  • Be a business, not-for-profit, local government, Indigenous community, utility or public sector organization located and operating in B.C. (excluding core government entities, i.e. Provincial Ministries, but including non-core entities, e.g. utilities, health authorities, school districts, universities, crown corporations, etc.).

Application Process

Applications will be submitted online and must receive approval before any work begins. If any costs are incurred before approval has been received, they will not be eligible for rebate(s). Applicants who do not own the site they plan to install a DCFC at will need to include a written agreement demonstrating right to use the site with their application. Please note that each application is for one project site only. Please submit a separate application for a second project site. 

FAQs

Resources

Project Showcase

 

City of Victoria

85 Bay Street: Neighbourhood fast-chargers

See project (PDF)

Successful Applicants

The map below shows the locations of successfully completed public EV charger projects which received funding from the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program. You can click on the locations to find more about them.

Project List

Funded projects are listed below and updated as new projects are approved. Follow the links for PlugShare listings to see project status if available.

Respectful communications and Zero-Tolerance Policy

Plug In BC takes all incidents of abusive, aggressive, or violent treatment against our staff very seriously. Our staff will always treat our clients with utmost respect. In turn, our staff have the right to a safe and respectful work environment.

Plug In BC has a Zero Tolerance policy against abusive, aggressive, or violent behaviour. This policy extends to any interaction with a staff member whether in-person, on the phone, via letter, e-mail, or through our website.

Unacceptable behaviour includes:

  • verbal abuse or the use of disrespectful language towards our staff
  • persistent or unrealistic demands that cause stress to staff
  • racist and sexist comments
  • breach of personal boundaries
  • physical aggression towards any staff

A breach of the Zero Tolerance policy will lead to termination of services.

The CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program is one of a suite of programs offered under the Province of BC’s CleanBC Go Electric Program. The program is funded through the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation and is administered by the Fraser Basin Council Society.

For more information, please contact PublicCharger@pluginbc.ca