Ontario, Canada Helping Electric Vehicle Drivers Plug In

Ontario is helping electric car owners install charging stations at their homes and businesses to encourage sustainable transportation and fight climate change.
Starting Jan. 1, 2013, homeowners and businesses who received a provincial electric vehicle rebate and have installed or are planning to install an electric vehicle charging station will be eligible for rebates of up to $1,000 or 50 per cent of the total purchase and installation cost, whichever is lower.

Application forms, full criteria and details for the rebate program will be available Jan. 1, 2013 at ontario.ca/electricvehicles.

Investing in sustainable transportation is part of the McGuinty government's plan to keep Ontario clean and green while strengthening the economy.  A strong economy protects the services that mean most to Ontarians -- health care and education.

Quick Facts

• Ontario launched its Electric Vehicles Incentive Program in July 2010, offering rebates between $5,000 and $8,500 toward the purchase or lease of new plug-in hybrid electric or battery electric vehicles.
• Ontario's Climate Change Action Plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2014, and to 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.
• Ontario is supporting the production of the RAV4 EV through an investment in Toyota's Project Green Light, helping to protect 6,500 jobs and thousands of supplier jobs throughout the province.

Quotes

"We know Ontarians are making greener choices every day. And our government is making steady progress to help people choose environmentally friendly vehicles that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help keep our air clean for generations to come."
Bob Chiarelli
Minister of Transportation

"Plug'n Drive is excited about this government program. Evidence shows that EV drivers will do about 80 per cent of their charging at home. Charging at night helps drivers take advantage of time-of-use pricing and uses surplus electricity that is low-emitting and locally made. A home charging incentive removes part of the cost barrier and helps Ontario maximize the environmental and economic benefits of EVs."
Cara Clairman
President and CEO, Plug’n Drive Ontario

"This incentive from the Ontario Government should make the difference for homeowners and businesses who are considering the purchase of an EV. Torontonians are progressive and our urban city is perfectly suited to support the growth of the EV industry. As Toronto Hydro prepares for the uptake, we'll continue with our unique study on EV behaviour and the potential impacts to the grid."
Anthony Haines
President and CEO, Toronto Hydro Electric System Limited