Rebates for Property Managers, Contractors, and Business Owners: What You Need to Know

Are you a property manager, contractor, or business owner seeking financial support to grow your business? With the many rebates and incentives available, navigating the options can be overwhelming. However, these programs provide valuable assistance, including government grants and provincial rebates, to help you invest in your business. By leveraging these opportunities, you can secure the funding needed to improve your operations and drive your business forward.

The Public Charger program offers rebates for public Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFCs) of up to $80,000 per DCFC (up to $130,000 for Indigenous communities) and $5,000 per Level 2 station ($7,500 for Indigenous communities). The program prioritizes applications that fill geographic gaps in the public charging network. Other program priorities include: 

• Indigenous communities
• Rural and northern areas
• Urban communities with high concentrations of multi-unit residential buildings

The program is open to B.C. businesses, not-for-profits, local governments, Indigenous communities, utilities or public sector organizations located and operating in B.C. Applicants must apply and be pre-approved to the program.

Workplace owners who purchase and install eligible EV chargers may receive a rebate of up to 50% of the costs, with a maximum rebate of $2,000 per charger and up to $14,000 per workplace, subject to funding availability. Businesses can apply for rebates at up to four workplace sites, with a maximum total project rebate of up to $56,000.

Eligible workplaces and installations

To be considered eligible under this program, a workplace must:

• Be located in B.C.
• Have a minimum of five employees that work primarily based on the premises
• Be constructed no later than August 31, 2021. This rebate is for retrofit solutions only, new builds are ineligible.
• Have dedicated parking for employees: the rebated charging stations must be dedicated for the use of employees only, during employee working hours.

Indigenous communities and businesses in British Columbia can now take advantage of enhanced rebates through the Fleet Charging Program, covering up to 90% of costs. Rebate amounts vary, ranging from $5,000 to $140,000. Indigenous-owned Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) stations can receive funding covering up to 90% of project expenses, with a maximum rebate of $130,000 per station, or up to $260,000 with the FLO Ultra option. Additionally, B.C. Indigenous businesses and communities can benefit from up to 75% coverage for the purchase and installation of EV charging equipment at homes and workplaces.

For apartment, condo, and townhome complexes planning upgrades to support EV charging at their residential parking stalls, provincial rebates are available to assist. These include the standalone EV charger rebate offer and EV Ready rebates, which help subsidize the costs of both purchasing and installing EV chargers and planning and installing the necessary electrical infrastructure to meet current or future EV charging needs.

The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) offers funding to support the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers and hydrogen refuelling stations across Canada. This initiative aims to overcome a major hurdle to the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by expanding the network of charging and refuelling stations. By increasing the accessibility of these facilities in communities where Canadians live, work, travel, and play, ZEVIP helps facilitate the transition to cleaner transportation options. Approved costs cover essentials, with NRCan providing up to $2 million per project, covering 75% of total costs, subject to availability and parliamentary appropriations. 

Consider BC Hydro’s tiered rate with time-of-day pricing.

By opting in:

You’ll enjoy a 5-cent discount per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electricity used between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
A 5-cent surcharge per kWh will apply for usage between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

BESI incentives reduce the payback period of your initial investment, making upgrades an easy decision. Depending on your energy usage and efficiency upgrades, you can save an average of $2,400 per year on your electrical bill. Business customers can upgrade any of the equipment listed below with eligible, energy-efficient models, and will be provided funding to cover up to 25% of the upfront costs.

Incentives are available for:

• Lighting
• Add-on upgrades for refrigeration
• Add-on upgrades for mechanical technologies such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)

Albrite excels in supporting a wide range of environments, including businesses, hotels, restaurants, and residential spaces. Whether it’s niche lighting for a specific property or comprehensive lighting design for a franchise, Albrite is equipped to handle projects of any size and complexity.

When you reach out to Albrite, you’re connecting with EB Horsman & Son (EBH)—we are one and the same. We will swiftly connect you with the Albrite team of experts, who specialize in lighting layouts, audits, and design. They offer customized recommendations to address your unique needs and are equipped to deliver innovative solutions that enhance both functionality and aesthetics.

B.C.

• BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program offers rebates and incentives for various energy-efficient products and services. BC Hydro also funds about 25% of the upfront costs on upgraded lighting through energy-saving incentives. Learn more about BC Hydro’s energy-efficiency programs and incentives.
• CleanBC’s Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program is a partnership between BC Hydro, FortisBC, and the provincial government offers rebates for various energy-efficient home upgrades, including smart lighting and controls.
• FortisBC also offers a variety of new multi-unit residential building rebates.

Alberta

• The Government of Alberta offers the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), which allows property owners to finance energy efficiency upgrades, including smart lighting, through their property tax bill. This financing option is available for various property types, including multi-family buildings, and offers competitive interest rates and extended repayment terms​. Check with your local government to see if CEIP is available in your community.
• Some municipalities and local utilities in Alberta offer their own rebate programs for energy-efficient lighting upgrades. For example, the City of Edmonton’s Building Energy Retrofit Accelerator program offers rebates on purchases and installations of eligible energy-efficient equipment. These programs vary by region and utility provider, so check with your local government and utility for specific programs and eligibility requirements​.

Saskatchewan

• SaskPower offers power-saving tips and programs to reduce energy usage through efficient lighting, heating, and cooling systems​.
• As new rebates and incentives are occasionally added, it’s a good idea to periodically check for available funding on the SaskEnergy and SaskPower websites.

EB Horsman is a member of BC Hydro’s Alliance of Energy Professionals. We can help you find ways to save energy, install energy-efficient products, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and access incentives.