CleanBC — Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program
BC, Canada
The CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program aims to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles in British Columbia through funding and data collection.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Transportation and warehousing
grant_single|grantors
- Government of British Columbia
- CleanBC
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program aims to encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in British Columbia by offering funding support for the deployment of early market ZEVs and the installation of charging/fueling infrastructure. Eligible activities include purchasing or leasing on-and-off-road medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs, as well as setting up the necessary energy infrastructure to support these vehicles. The program is designed for public and private fleets, including businesses, not-for-profits, and Indigenous governments operating in B.C.
grant_single_labels|projects
There are several projects and activities eligible for this grant that must satisfy certain criteria.
- Deploying early market Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs).
- Installing charging/fueling infrastructure for ZEVs.
- Retrofitting existing vehicles with zero-emission technology for off-road categories.
- Supporting collection, analysis, and sharing of data and lessons learned on the project deployments.
- Purchase or lease of new battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$1,270,000
Vancouver
Implementing an electric sightseeing boat project on False Creek with a charging station at Granville Island
$2,000,000
Surrey
Launching an electric school bus pilot project with accompanying charging infrastructure
$1,200,000
Victoria
Setting up a zero-emission shuttle service with electric vans and charging stations at Victoria Airport
$5,000,000
Vancouver
Deploying a fleet of five hydrogen fuel cell buses and setting up a refueling station
$3,800,000
Burnaby
Introducing electric construction equipment and establishing a charging network at multiple sites
$2,400,000
Richmond
Converting the company's delivery fleet to electric vehicles and installing charging stations
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet criteria related to their status, the vehicles they intend to purchase, and the infrastructure they plan to install.
- The primary applicant must be a business, not-for-profit, local government, Indigenous government, or public sector organization located and operating in B.C.
- All businesses must be licensed to operate in B.C.
- Vehicles must exceed a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kg (Class 3 and above).
- On-road vehicles must emit zero carbon dioxide during operation.
- Vehicles must be new and constructed entirely from new parts.
- On-road vehicles must be certified by the US EPA and meet Transport Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Act requirements.
- Vehicles must remain plated, registered, and insured in B.C. for at least 12 months from the date of sale or lease.
- Vehicles must be purchased or leased within Canada.
- Charging and fueling infrastructure must be approved for sale and use in Canada and meet specific technical standards.
- Applicants must agree to the collection of telematics performance data and provide detailed responses to questionnaire-based requests for all supported vehicles and infrastructure.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. Program support is available to eligible public and private fleets, specifically targeting certain types of organizations.
- Business
- Not-for-profit
- Local government
- Indigenous government
- Public sector organization (excluding Provincial Ministries and Crowns, but including non-core entities such as health authorities and school districts)
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program excludes Provincial Ministries and Crown corporations from eligibility. However, non-core entities such as health authorities and school districts are eligible to apply.
- Provincial Ministries
- Crown corporations
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. Eligible expenses include capital expenditures for vehicles and energy infrastructure, as well as associated design, installation, and utility connection fees.
- Capital expenditures for vehicles
- Capital expenditures for energy infrastructure
- Site design
- Electrical design
- Installation (including labour and materials)
- Utility connection fees for energy infrastructure
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are entities located and operating in British Columbia, Canada.
- On-road vehicles must remain plated, registered, and insured in British Columbia for at least 12 months from the date of sale or lease.
- Off-road vehicles such as rail and marine must remain operational in British Columbia for at least 12 months from the date of sale or lease and be majority operated within the province for a minimum of 90% of operational hours.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, the CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program has established evaluation and selection criteria for applicants. There are seven main criteria used to evaluate applications in both the on-road and off-road vehicle categories.
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions: Quantitatively linked to GHG emission reductions that the project achieves during its funded lifetime.
- B.C. economic co-benefits: Subjective scoring for B.C. specific economic co-benefits during the project's funded lifetime.
- Air quality, health, community, and clean energy co-benefits: Subjective scoring for other air quality, health, community, and clean energy co-benefits during the project's funded lifetime.
- Developed and achievable: Scores the project based on how achievable the deployment is and how quickly the vehicles and/or infrastructure can be put into active operation.
- Broader Organizational commitments: Scores the project based on the existence and level of detail of any organizational commitments for ZEV deployment in the applicant's broader operations.
- Demonstrated need for funding and leveraging of external fund: Scores the project's proposed budget, demonstrated need for funding, and likelihood to proceed without the Program's funding.
- Innovation and potential to enable longer-term and larger-scale transformation of ZEVs across various commercial modes, sectors, and uses: Scores the application on its ability to foster larger-scale change within a particular mode/vocation, representing a significant share of transportation emissions in B.C.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Determine eligibility by reviewing proponent, vehicle, and infrastructure eligibility requirements stated in section 3 of this Program Guide.
- Step 2: Download and complete the applicant template and the additional vehicle template if applicable.
- Step 3: Download and complete the budget template.
- Step 4: Submit the application with supporting documents, which may include: business license; OEM certificate; EPA certificate; supplier quotes (for vehicle, equipment and energy infrastructure); correspondence with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), vehicle manufacturers, and/or suppliers; feasibility studies and any other supporting background information.
- Step 5: Wait for response from the CVP Program team.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are some miscellaneous details about the CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program:
- The program will run until March 31, 2028 or until all funds are exhausted.
- Applications can be submitted on a continuous basis until program funds are fully allocated.
- The primary applicant must install telematics performance data logging equipment on vehicles and infrastructure supported by the program.
- There will be an Advisory Committee that consists of MEMLI and commercial ZEV experts to evaluate and rank applications.
- Applicants must submit quarterly progress reports to the Delivery Agent, MNP LLP.
- The program website (https://cvpbc.ca/) will host all necessary information and templates for completing the application.
- Applicants can use a non-pre-qualified telematics service provider, contingent on the provider meeting program data collection requirements.
- Funding cannot be stacked with other CleanBC Programs.
- Maximum funding support per applicant is 1/3 of eligible vehicle and infrastructure costs.
- The maximum funding contribution per project is set at $10 million.
grant_single_labels|contact
admin@cvpbc.ca
Apply to this program
CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program Summary
The CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program, funded by the Province of British Columbia, aims to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles (ZEVs) by providing up to 1/3 financial support for vehicle and infrastructure projects, along with data collection and analysis. The program targets medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including on-road and off-road types, by encouraging new vehicle purchases, infrastructure development, and operational data sharing.
Comprehensive Guide to the CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program
The CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program is a pivotal initiative funded by the Province of British Columbia aimed at transforming the commercial vehicle sector towards zero-emission technologies. The program, administered by MNP LLP on behalf of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (MEMLI), is designed to encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by providing financial support and promoting data collection to gauge the effectiveness and impact of these technologies. This detailed guide will outline the key aspects of the program, eligibility requirements, application process, and the benefits of participating in this forward-thinking initiative.
Program Overview
The CleanBC Go Electric Program is part of a broader initiative that seeks to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and shift to clean energy sources by accelerating the transition to ZEVs. The Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program specifically focuses on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in both the on-road and off-road sectors, including buses, trucks, marine vessels, aircraft, and rail vehicles. Key incentives include:
- Funding up to 1/3 of total project costs for eligible ZEV and infrastructure.
- Collection, analysis, and sharing of technical and operational performance data.
Goals of the Program
This program is designed to accomplish several key objectives:
- Make ZEVs more affordable for British Columbian businesses and organizations.
- Gain insights into the operational capabilities and costs of ZEVs to enhance adoption rates.
- Accelerate the market readiness of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission technologies.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for funding under this program, applicants and their projects must meet several key criteria, which are broken down as follows:
Applicant Eligibility
The program is open to public and private fleets, with the purchaser or lessee of the vehicle technology being the primary applicant. Eligible entities include businesses, not-for-profits, local governments, Indigenous governments, and public sector organizations (excluding Provincial Ministries and Crowns but including non-core entities like health authorities and school districts) operating in British Columbia. All businesses must be licensed to operate in B.C., and consortiums are welcome to apply if the primary applicant meets the eligibility criteria.
Vehicle Eligibility
Vehicles must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum Number Purchased: For on-road vehicles, a minimum deployment of six ZEVs is required for weight classes 3 and 4, and three ZEVs for classes 5 and 6. No minimum number is specified for weight classes 7 and 8, and off-road vehicle types.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): On-road vehicles must exceed a GVWR of 4,536 kg (Class 3 and above). Off-road vehicles have no GVWR restrictions.
- Zero Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Vehicles must have zero tailpipe emissions and be propelled by electricity or hydrogen.
- New Vehicles: On-road vehicles must be new, constructed entirely from new parts, and not previously registered. Aftermarket on-road vehicle conversions may be considered based on the project's secondary benefits.
- Certified: On-road vehicles must be covered by a US EPA certificate and meet Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Act requirements. Off-road vehicles must comply with Canadian emission regulations where applicable.
- Time in British Columbia: Vehicles must remain operational in B.C. and be primarily used there for at least 90% of their operational hours over a minimum of 12 months.
- Purchased or Leased in Canada: Vehicles must be purchased or leased within Canada. Exceptions may be made for vehicles not available in Canada upon informing the program team.
Energy Infrastructure Eligibility
Eligible infrastructure includes Level 2 and above electric charging stations and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Key requirements include:
- Infrastructure must be approved for sale and use in Canada.
- New installations or expansions (not replacements) qualify.
- Electric charging infrastructure must have appropriate certifications (cUL, cETL, CSA) and be operational in B.C. for at least five years.
- Hydrogen fueling infrastructure must meet SAE International J2719 quality requirements and be operational for at least 12 months.
Data Collection Agreement
Participants must agree to the installation of telematics systems for data logging on funded vehicles and infrastructure, as well as possibly on conventional vehicles for comparison. This data will be collected for at least 12 months to evaluate technical, economic, and environmental performance.
Application Process
Applications for the program follow a structured process:
- Continuous Intake: MNP LLP will receive and review applications on an ongoing basis, with the Advisory Committee meeting twice a year to evaluate submissions.
- Steps to Apply: Potential applicants should first determine their eligibility, complete the necessary templates (application and budget), and submit the application with supporting documents such as business licenses and supplier quotes.
- Submission Process: Completed applications must be submitted before the Call for Applications closing date. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Screening and Evaluation: Applications are screened for completeness and eligibility. The Advisory Committee will use set Evaluation Criteria to assess eligible applications. Factors considered include GHG emission reductions, economic co-benefits, health and community impacts, project achievability, and more.
Funding Details
Financial support under this program comprises various elements to ensure a comprehensive support structure for the purchase or leasing of ZEVs and related infrastructure:
- Maximum Funding: Up to 1/3 of eligible vehicle and infrastructure costs.
- Leased Vehicles: Funding for leased vehicles will be scaled based on the lease term.
- Funding Stacking: Stacking with other CleanBC programs is not permitted. However, stacking with other government programs is allowed up to 75% of eligible project costs, or 100% for local or Indigenous governments.
- Eligible Costs: Include capital expenditures for vehicles and infrastructure, site and electrical design, installation, and utility connection fees.
- Timing of Expenses: Expenses must be incurred after the signing of the Contribution Agreement. Retroactive funding of expenses is not allowed.
Contribution Agreements
Upon successful application, a Contribution Agreement will be signed between MNP LLP and the applicant, outlining terms and conditions, maximum contributions, reporting requirements, and payment terms. This standardized document ensures both parties are clear on the project expectations and compliance requirements.
Conclusion
The CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program represents a significant opportunity for businesses and organizations in British Columbia to transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, thereby contributing to reduced GHG emissions and the adoption of clean energy. Through financial incentives, robust data collection, and strategic program administration, the initiative aims to make ZEVs more accessible and viable for commercial operations across the province. Interested applicants are encouraged to review eligibility criteria, prepare required documentation, and submit their applications as soon as possible to take advantage of this forward-looking program.
