Megaton327
Senior Member
The Premier has just announced an expansion to the province's EV Rebate Program: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/02/ontario-making-electric-vehicles-more-affordable.html
It is unclear if the additional $3000 for battery capacity and $1000 for 5+ seats is in addition to or included in the $10000 upper end of the range, but I think it is likely included ($6000 base for an EV, up to $9000 for a larger battery, then the max $10K achieved with a large battery and 5+ seats). It is also unclear if leases will still qualify, and how so--currently a 1-year lease is eligible for 1/3 of the rebate, a 2-year lease for 2/3, and a 3-year+ for 100% of it.
Additionally, earlier this year : https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2015/12/more-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-on-the-way.html
The program details indicate that these stations will be DC fast charging stations, each having at least 1 CHAdeMO connector (Nissan Leaf, Kia Soul, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Tesla Model S/X via adapter) and 1 CCS SAE Combo connector (BMW i3, upcoming Chevrolet Bolt). For those unaware, these stations can generally charge a modern EV's battery from empty to approximately 80% in about 30 minutes. The upcoming Chevy Bolt will reportedly reach an 80% charge in one hour. In other words, depending on the vehicle, if starting from empty these stations provide anywhere from about 100-140km of range per 30 minutes.
In the EV community, there is a widespread expectation that many of these fast chargers will be built at the 400-series highway ONroute stations (there are currently "future electric vehicle charging station" rough-ins at many of these locations), which would make a lot of sense.
The first press release I linked to says "The deadline for Electric Vehicle Chargers Ontario applications is Friday, February 12, 2016", and having read the documents for it, I believe I saw March 31 2017 as the deadline to have all stations under the project be operational to the public. Hopefully construction will start soon, and some will open before that final deadline. I thought this thread might provide a good place for those interested to track progress, give updates, post pictures, etc.
Personally, I'm very happy about this--my brother is a very happy 2012 Volt owner having claimed the $8500 vehicle+$1000 charger/installation rebates at that time, and I look forward to collecting the $11000 rebate for a 2017 Chevy Bolt (and charger/install) the moment they're available in Ontario.
The new, modernized program will:
- Increase the current incentive range for EVs from $5,000 - $8,500 to $6,000 - $10,000
- Provide an opportunity to receive an additional $3,000 incentive for vehicles with larger battery capacities
- Provide an additional $1,000 incentive for vehicles with five or more seats
- Continue to provide incentives linked to battery capacity of more than 5 kilowatt-hours
- Cap incentives for vehicles priced between $75,000 and $150,000 at $3,000
- Provide up to $1,000 for the purchase and installation of chargers for home and business use.
It is unclear if the additional $3000 for battery capacity and $1000 for 5+ seats is in addition to or included in the $10000 upper end of the range, but I think it is likely included ($6000 base for an EV, up to $9000 for a larger battery, then the max $10K achieved with a large battery and 5+ seats). It is also unclear if leases will still qualify, and how so--currently a 1-year lease is eligible for 1/3 of the rebate, a 2-year lease for 2/3, and a 3-year+ for 100% of it.
Additionally, earlier this year : https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2015/12/more-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-on-the-way.html
Through the $20 million grant program, the province is seeking public and private sector partners to create a network of fast-charging electric vehicle stations in cities, along highways and at workplaces, apartments, condominiums and public places across Ontario.
The program details indicate that these stations will be DC fast charging stations, each having at least 1 CHAdeMO connector (Nissan Leaf, Kia Soul, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Tesla Model S/X via adapter) and 1 CCS SAE Combo connector (BMW i3, upcoming Chevrolet Bolt). For those unaware, these stations can generally charge a modern EV's battery from empty to approximately 80% in about 30 minutes. The upcoming Chevy Bolt will reportedly reach an 80% charge in one hour. In other words, depending on the vehicle, if starting from empty these stations provide anywhere from about 100-140km of range per 30 minutes.
In the EV community, there is a widespread expectation that many of these fast chargers will be built at the 400-series highway ONroute stations (there are currently "future electric vehicle charging station" rough-ins at many of these locations), which would make a lot of sense.
The first press release I linked to says "The deadline for Electric Vehicle Chargers Ontario applications is Friday, February 12, 2016", and having read the documents for it, I believe I saw March 31 2017 as the deadline to have all stations under the project be operational to the public. Hopefully construction will start soon, and some will open before that final deadline. I thought this thread might provide a good place for those interested to track progress, give updates, post pictures, etc.
Personally, I'm very happy about this--my brother is a very happy 2012 Volt owner having claimed the $8500 vehicle+$1000 charger/installation rebates at that time, and I look forward to collecting the $11000 rebate for a 2017 Chevy Bolt (and charger/install) the moment they're available in Ontario.