
Closed
On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects
Funding for demonstration projects in transportation
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000,000 - $ 5,000,000
Timeline
- Open Date : May 25, 2023
- Closing date : July 20, 2023
Location
Canada
Overview
Non-repayable contributions up to $5 million for demonstration projects that address barriers to the uptake of zero-emission on-road vehicles or improve the overall transportation system efficiency.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : May 25, 2023
- Closing date : July 20, 2023
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
This grant supports projects that aim to decarbonize the transportation sector by fostering innovation in low- and zero-emission vehicles and their supporting infrastructure. Eligible projects are targeted at overcoming the technological and market barriers within Canada's transportation industry.
- Development and testing of novel and innovative equipment, vehicle components, software, and methodologies including prototypes and field trials.
- Installation of pre-commercial technology to operate in its intended environment for demonstration purposes.
- Modification of existing systems to integrate new, innovative technologies or processes.
- Engineering, design, and permitting associated with installing demonstration infrastructure.
- Operation and performance testing of innovations in the transportation environment to evaluate efficacy.
- Reducing cost/performance ratios for electric powertrain components and hydrogen fuel cells.
- Demonstration of novel uses of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell MHDVs.
- Improving on-road vehicle energy efficiency through innovative design and new materials.
- Innovative charging solutions addressing infrastructure challenges for zero-emission vehicles in specific contexts such as rural or multi-unit residential scenarios.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit organizations (including companies and utilities) incorporated or registered in Canada
- Not-for-profit organizations (such as industry associations, research associations, and standards organizations)
- Community groups
- Canadian academic institutions
- Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies
- Indigenous organizations and businesses
Who is not eligible
- Companies whose projects consist solely of purchasing commercially available zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or associated infrastructure.
- Organizations focused exclusively on off-road vehicles (mining, forestry, agriculture, construction) or their supporting infrastructure.
- Businesses engaged primarily in other modes of transportation (air, rail, marine) or their supporting infrastructure.
- Entities involved in battery supply chain, manufacturing, or inside-the-cell components.
- Companies whose primary activity is energy storage or grid-side solutions that are asset-agnostic.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for employees working on the project.
- Professional, scientific, technical, and contracting services.
- Reasonable travel expenses, including meals and accommodation, based on government rates.
- Capital expenditures for the purchase, installation, testing, and commissioning of qualifying equipment, materials, and products (including diagnostic and testing tools and warranties).
- Laboratory and field supplies, and materials.
- Printing and translation services.
- Data collection services, including processing, analysis, and management.
- Facility costs for meetings, seminars, or conference room rentals.
- Licence fees and permits.
- Capacity building and training.
- Field testing services.
- Overhead expenses directly related to the project, up to 15% of eligible expenses.
- For Indigenous proponents: costs associated with Indigenous ceremonies (excluding hospitality) and honoraria for Elders.
Eligible geographic areas
- Legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada.
- Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies within Canada.
- Indigenous communities and organizations located in Canada.
Additional information
- Quarterly and yearly reporting is required for funded projects, with ongoing data collection for five years following project completion.
- Applicants may be asked for permission to share their application with other funding organizations for potential co-funding or referrals.
- Successful projects must complete a due diligence assessment before finalizing a contribution agreement.
- Providing voluntary information on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) may be considered in project selection, though not scored.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects?
Non-repayable contributions up to $5 million for demonstration projects that address barriers to the uptake of zero-emission on-road vehicles or improve the overall transportation system efficiency.
How much funding can be received?
On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was July 20, 2023.
Who is eligible for the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects program?
To be eligible for the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects program, you must:
Legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada (including for-profit companies)
Must be majority owner of any assets purchased with funding
Projects must align with eligible R&D or demonstration activities
What expenses are eligible under On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects?
This grant supports projects that aim to decarbonize the transportation sector by fostering innovation in low- and zero-emission vehicles and their supporting infrastructure. Eligible projects are targeted at overcoming the technological and market barriers within Canada's transportation industry. Development and testing of novel and innovative equipment, vehicle components, software, and methodologies including prototypes and field trials.
Installation of pre-commercial technology to operate in its intended environment for demonstration purposes.
Modification of existing systems to integrate new, innovative technologies or processes.
Engineering, design, and permitting associated with installing demonstration infrastructure.
Operation and performance testing of innovations in the transportation environment to evaluate efficacy.
Reducing cost/performance ratios for electric powertrain components and hydrogen fuel cells.
Demonstration of novel uses of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell MHDVs.
Improving on-road vehicle energy efficiency through innovative design and new materials.
Innovative charging solutions addressing infrastructure challenges for zero-emission vehicles in specific contexts such as rural or multi-unit residential scenarios.
Who can I contact for more information about the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects?
You can contact Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
Where is the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects available?
The On-road Transportation Decarbonization — Demonstration Projects program is available across Canada.
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