How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 30% of admissible expenses, capped at $100000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Financial assistance for the electrification of intercity and private transportation (Écobus)

Q: What are Financial assistance for the electrification of intercity and private transportation (Écobus)'s eligibility criterias?

The applicant must have its head office or establishment in Quebec. The applicant must be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar. The applicant must not be registered in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).

Last Update: February 23, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports electrification of private and intercity transportation

Financial assistance for the electrification of intercity and private transportation (Écobus) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $100,000
Up to 30% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Transportation and warehousing

Grant Providers

Gouvernement du Québec

Status

Open

Overview of the Financial assistance for the electrification of intercity and private transportation (Écobus) program

The Financial Assistance for the Electrification of Intercity and Private Transportation (Écobus) program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting the acquisition or conversion of low-emission vehicles, offering a maximum funding amount of $100,000 for completely electric or hydrogen-fueled buses and minibuses. Eligible activities include the acquisition or long-term leasing of eco-friendly vehicles and the installation of approved technologies.

Financing terms and conditions

A flat-rate assistance of $100,000 is provided for the acquisition of fully electric or fuel cell buses and minibuses assembled in Canada.
For leasing buses and minibuses, the financial assistance is as follows: 4 years - $50,000; 5 years - $62,500; 6 years - $75,000; 7 years and more - $100,000.
For the purchase of fully electric, fuel cell, or plug-in hybrid vans with a battery capacity of 15 kWh or more, a flat-rate aid of $10,000 is provided.
For plug-in hybrid vans with a battery capacity of 7 to 14.9 kWh, $5,000 is granted.
A flat-rate of $10,000 is available for fuel cell vehicles (automobiles).
Financial assistance covers 50% of the costs for acquisition and installation of technology for full electric or hybrid conversion, with the maximum amount depending on the vehicle category and technology.
Fully electric propulsion for buses and minibuses receives up to $75,000, while hybrid propulsion with a storage unit receives $25,000.
For electric or plug-in hybrid vans with a battery capacity of 15 kWh or more, aid is set at $12,500, and for those with 7 to 14.9 kWh, $7,500 is provided.
Financial assistance covers 30% of the eligible costs for acquiring or converting vehicles to use alternative fuels that emit fewer greenhouse gases. The maximum amount varies depending on the vehicle category.
A cost difference of $15,000 is granted for the purchase of buses and minibuses compared to traditional diesel or gasoline vehicles.
A procurement and installation cost up to $3,000 is covered for vans using alternative fuels compared to conventional diesel or gasoline vans.

Eligible projects & activities

Electrification of intercity and private transportation using low-emission vehicles.
Acquisition or long-term leasing of electric or fuel cell buses, minibuses, or light vehicles for commercial passenger transport.
Acquisition and installation of technologies on registered vehicles in Quebec to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Eligibility criteria of the Financial assistance for the electrification of intercity and private transportation (Écobus) program

Applicant must be a holder of a bus or minibus transport permit offering services in Quebec, excluding experimental and student transport permit holders.
Companies providing shuttle services, such as hotel shuttles or complimentary employee shuttles, are eligible.
Private companies using eligible light vehicles for commercial passenger transport purposes qualify.
Applicant must have its head office or an establishment in Quebec.
Applicant must not be listed in the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
Applicant must be solvent and not bankrupt.
Applicant must be the vehicle owner or lease it for a minimum of four years.
Vehicles must be new, marketable, or already introduced to the market.
Vehicles must be registered in Quebec for the first time, unless previously temporarily registered outside Quebec.
Vehicles must be acquired between April 1, 2022, and the program's end date.
Light vehicles acquired or converted must remain registered and used in Quebec for at least four years; private and intercity electric buses must do so for a minimum of eight years if purchased and four years if leased.

Who is eligible?

Holders of bus or minibus transport permits offering services in Quebec, except for experimental transport and student transport permits.
Private companies providing shuttle services, such as hotel shuttles or free employee shuttles.
Private companies using eligible light vehicles for commercial passenger transport services.

Who is not eligible

Holders of experimental transport permits.
Holders of student transport permits.
Companies not registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
Organizations listed on the Register of Companies Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
Entities in a state of bankruptcy.
Companies not having their headquarters or an establishment in Quebec.

Eligible expenses

Acquisition of fully electric or fuel cell buses and minibuses assembled in Canada.
Installation of technology for vehicle conversion to electric or hybrid systems.
Acquisition of fully electric, fuel cell, or hybrid vans with a battery capacity of 15 kWh or more.
Installation of equipment for utilizing alternative fuel in vehicles.
Technology costs for the conversion of vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Surplus cost of purchasing vehicles as compared to traditional diesel or gasoline vehicles.

Eligible geographic areas

Province of Quebec, Canada.

How to apply to the Financial assistance for the electrification of intercity and private transportation (Écobus) program

Initial request

Fill out and sign the form "Application for Financial Assistance for the Purchase of a Vehicle or the Acquisition of Technology."
Attach the accepted bid for the acquisition of the vehicle, signed by the authorized individuals.
Include a copy of the board resolution if the purchaser is a legal entity.
Provide a status report of the owner and operator of heavy vehicles from the SAAQ.

Preparation for the discount upon purchase

Submit the completed and signed financial assistance transfer request form.
Provide a certificate from Revenu Québec proving the absence of an outstanding account, dated less than 30 business days before the transaction.

Finalization of the transaction

Complete the purchase transaction within 12 months following the date of the financial aid application submission.
Provide a complete copy of the purchase or rental agreement, the vehicle description, the transaction certificate with a dealer, and the detailed invoice.
Present proof of payment and a copy of the registration certificate or temporary registration.

Sending the request

Submit all the necessary documents to the email address mentioned: DAIE-individuentreprise@transports.gouv.qc.ca, before the deadline of March 31, 2025.

Additional information

The program mandates the applicant to maintain a coverage of insurance that ensures the reimbursement of the financial contribution in case of total loss of the vehicle due to accident, fire, theft, or vandalism.
The beneficiary must annually submit the mileage covered by the subsidized vehicles.
All related documents and pieces of evidence related to the funding request must be retained for five years.
Beneficiaries are required to acknowledge the government's financial support publicly in relation to this program, in adherence to the visibility protocol.