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Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization - Canada
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Source verified August 11, 2026

Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization

Supports on-road transportation decarbonization projects

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Funding available
$ 500,000 - $ 5,000,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Who can apply

Legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as electricity and gas utilities, companies, industry associations, research associations, and standards organizations

See full eligibility

Overview

The Energy Innovation Program – On-road Transportation Decarbonization Call for Proposals supports legal entities in Canada, governments, and Indigenous applicants for R&D and demonstration projects in Canada to decarbonize the transportation sector, with up to $50 million in total funding. It targets low- and zero-emission on-road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, infrastructure, and transportation system efficiency.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 500,000 $

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
  • Non-profit
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • All industries
Target groups
  • All the groups
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • All dimensions

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Research and development projects for low- and zero-emission on-road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
  • Demonstration projects for pre-commercial technologies and supporting infrastructure.
  • Projects that improve the uptake of zero-emission on-road vehicles.
  • Projects that improve transportation system efficiency.

Documents Needed

  • Expression of Interest form
  • Required attachments identified in the Expression of Interest form
  • Letters of support if partnership is marked confirmed

Official resources

Official page

Energy Innovation Program - On-road Transportation Decarbonization Call for Proposals

Program guide

All FAQs pertain to the Transportation Call - Expression of Interest Stage

Energy Innovation Program - On-road Transportation Decarbonization Call for Proposals

Energy Innovation Program On-road Transportation Decarbonization Call for Proposals Applicants’ Guide

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as electricity and gas utilities, companies, industry associations, research associations, and standards organizations
  • Community groups
  • Canadian academic institutions
  • Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies, where applicable
  • Indigenous applicants, including Indigenous communities, for-profit and not-for-profit businesses and organizations with Indigenous ownership and control, First Nations, tribal councils, and Inuit organizations

Eligible expenses

  • Research and development costs for novel equipment, vehicle components, software, and methodologies.
  • Demonstration costs such as installation, modification, engineering, design, permitting, operation, and performance testing.
  • Eligible charging infrastructure, related software services, and integration services for vehicle-to-grid initiatives.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Projects that consist solely of buying commercially available ZEVs or the associated infrastructure.
  • Off-road vehicles or their supporting infrastructure; other modes of transportation or their supporting infrastructure.
  • Battery supply chain, manufacturing, or inside-the-cell components; energy storage; and grid-side solutions that are asset-agnostic.
  • Capacity building and training; assessments or characterization studies; use of existing software, models or tools to run scenarios or identify innovation needs; and reviewing evidence supporting existing codes and standards or adopting international codes and standards for Canada.
  • Vehicle purchases and retrofits; hydrogen production technologies; hydrogen storage technologies; grid-side infrastructure investment; and purchase of land.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Selection criteria

  • Collaboration and leveraging are included in the selection criteria.
  • Additional points are awarded to projects that leverage funding from non-government sources.
  • NRCan may consider regional balance in Canada, advancing inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility in the natural resources sector, and socio-economic considerations during selection.
  • Voluntary IDEA information may be considered during the selection process.

How to apply

  • Review the Applicant’s Guide to determine your eligibility to apply.
  • Complete and submit your EOI via the Applicant Portal by 11:59 p.m. PT on July 20, 2023.
  • If invited, complete and submit your FPP by January 15, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. PT.

Processing and Agreement

  • The EOI is reviewed by a technical expert panel, and successful applicants are invited to the FPP phase.
  • The FPP is reviewed by a technical expert panel, and NRCan notifies applicants of the results.
  • All applicants selected for funding undergo a due diligence assessment covering finances, technical risk, team strengths, and legal and regulatory considerations.
  • Applicants whose projects pass due diligence are invited to work with NRCan to draft, sign, and execute a contribution agreement.
  • After entering into a contribution agreement, proponents must report quarterly and yearly, and ongoing data collection and assessment are required for five years after project completion.

Contacts

Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization Program

What is the Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization?

The Energy Innovation Program – On-road Transportation Decarbonization Call for Proposals supports legal entities in Canada, governments, and Indigenous applicants for R&D and demonstration projects in Canada to decarbonize the transportation sector, with up to $50 million in total funding. It targets low- and zero-emission on-road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, infrastructure, and transportation system efficiency.

How much funding can be received?

Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization Funds up to $5,000,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization program?

To be eligible for the Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization program, you must: Legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, community groups, and Canadian academic institutions Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies, where applicable Indigenous applicants, including Indigenous communities, Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations, First Nations, tribal councils, and Inuit organizations

What expenses are eligible under Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization?

Research and development projects for low- and zero-emission on-road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Demonstration projects for pre-commercial technologies and supporting infrastructure. Projects that improve the uptake of zero-emission on-road vehicles. Projects that improve transportation system efficiency.

Who can I contact for more information about the Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization?

You can contact Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) by email at energyinnovation-innovationenergetique@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

Where is the Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization available?

The Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization program is available across Canada.

Is the Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization is a Grant and Funding