Program description
The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) provides funding for the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) chargers and hydrogen refuelling stations across Canada by entering into contribution agreements with selected recipients for the installation of infrastructure in public places, on-streets, at workplaces, at multi-unit residential buildings and to support vehicle fleets. ZEVIP’s goal is to increase charging opportunities in communities where Canadians live, work, travel and play. It received funding commitments of $630 million from 2019-20 through 2026-27.
ZEVIP resulted from an extensive consultation with 200+ key experts, including representatives from governments, industry, NGOs, and academia.
ZEVIP undertakes measures such as targeted outreach and collaboration to maximize the possibility of program support to Indigenous communities.
The maximum amount payable can be up to $10,000,000 per project. ZEVIP may cover up to 50% of total project costs to a maximum per eligible technology. For Indigenous businesses and communities, the program may cover up to 75% of total project costs.
In 2023, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD) reported that there remains a significant gap in EV charging infrastructure across Canada.
A 2024 report by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors identified the need for approximately 240,000 public charging ports by 2030. The current ZEVIP target is to support 78,500 public and private chargers by 2029.
Evaluation findings
- Aligned with findings of the CESD, the evaluation found that the ZEVIP program is relevant and responds to continuing needs for EV charging infrastructure across Canada.
- ZEVIP is contributing to an increased availability of ZEV charging and refueling opportunities across Canada, increasing the capacity of proponents to undertake projects and making good progress towards its targeted number of EV charger installations. However, it is too early to tell if targets related to intended outcomes for increased usage of EV Infrastructure will be met.
- ZEVIP has considered equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) goals in its design and delivery and has taken steps to better serve Indigenous organizations and communities. As of April 2024, the number of Indigenous-led projects is increasing.
2021-2024: 16 Indigenous-led projects were funded by ZEVIP.
2021-2024: Indigenous-led projects resulted in 333 chargers located in Indigenous communities.
- ZEVIP has started to take a more strategic approach to defining underserved areas by mapping charging infrastructure gaps. However, gaps and unmet needs still exist at the ecosystem level in terms of the number of charging stations needed across Canada; challenges associated with certain types of location; and the production and distribution of hydrogen. Addressing these gaps will require additional inputs from funders beyond ZEVIP.
- ZEVIP has been able to leverage funds at close to its stated target. While ZEVIP is operating efficiently, there are also opportunities to improve delivery, including increasing timely insight to program opportunities and reducing the time taken to review and approve applications.
- Overall, ZEVIP has contributed to Canada’s objectives for clean on-road transportation. However, it is challenge to directly attribute an increase in sales of EVs to the program. In response to the CESD audit, NRCan has committed to revise ZEVIP’s expected final result.
The majority of funding recipients were satisfied with ZEVIP processes.
However, there are opportunities for improved efficiency.
ZEVIP has learned from other evaluations and assessments and is implementing continuous improvement efforts.
Unintended outcomes were positive:
New partnerships and networks.
Increased awareness of EVs.
Generating additional projects.
Recommendations and management response and action plan
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Management agrees. In response to Recommendation #1, NRCan commits to prioritizing Z EVIP project applications that are located in underserved areas. NRCan views underserved areas as locations where there is an identified gap/need for additional EV charging infrastructure. To inform ZEVIP’s July 2024 request for proposals (RFP), NRCan took action to advance its understanding of underserved areas through the development of infrastructure planning maps for corridors and communities. For the 2024 RFP, NRCan made the corridor planning map publicly available to inform the public and potential applicants of these underserved areas. Before the launch of future ZEVIP RFPs, NRCan will complete a review of the effectiveness of efforts to date regarding EV charging in underserved areas. As done with the 2024 RFPs, NRCan will continue to encourage applicants to pursue inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) plans. Additional funding will also continue to be made available to Indigenous recipients to reduce financial barriers. |
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Management agrees. In response to Recommendation #2, NRCan commits to continue to provide advanced public notice of future RFP timing through the ZEVIP website, and will build on these efforts to increase transparency by making additional information available regarding future RFP opportunities. The Program will work closely with the Communications and Portfolio Sector (CPS) on a communication strategy to announce future RFPs. Information will be shared on the ZEVIP website home page, in social media posts, and through stakeholder engagement forums. Greater transparency of RFP timing will be achieved by providing the approximate timing of planned RFPs on the ZEVIP website at least three months in advance, and the RFP launch date will be announced at least three weeks in advance. At the time of announcing the launch date, NRCan will also provide an outline of the mandatory and merit criteria evaluation categories and general scoring values on the ZEVIP website. A description of the mandatory and merit criteria, with the associated scoring weights, will be posted on the ZEVIP website and provided in the RFP application guide that is made available to applicants by request. |
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Management agrees. In response to Recommendation #3, NRCan commits to seek opportunities to develop ZEV infrastructure related partnerships with provinces and territories, similar to those currently established with British Columbia and Nova Scotia. |
About the evaluation
- The evaluation was conducted by NRCan’s Audit and Evaluation Branch to comply with the Financial Administration Act.
- The evaluation covered the period from April 2019 to March 2024.
- There was overlap in areas addressed by the CESD performance audit and this evaluation, but this evaluation was scoped to add value beyond questions addressed by the CESD.
- Surveyed 96 funded applicants and 65 non-funded applicants.
- Review of 2023 CESD report on ZEVIP.
- Comparative review of 5 other countries.
- Reviewed internal and external documents.