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Status: Thank you for your feedback. As of November 28, 2025, this Request for Information is now closed.
This Request for Information (RFI) seeks written feedback from all interested parties to help understand the operational, environmental, financial and technological considerations for the deployment of renewable energy-powered electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in Northern Canada.
This includes input from individuals and groups, particularly those with perspectives and/or experiences related to the development, testing, transportation, construction, maintenance, operation, and decommissioning of renewable energy solutions (i.e., microgrids), in cold/remote locations and their compatibility with EVSE.
Background
As the largest public procurer in the country, the Government of Canada (GC) has a responsibility to show leadership and manage its assets in a way that achieves green and climate-resilient outcomes. Consistent with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, the Greening Government Strategy (GGS) sets the GC on a path to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 across all of its operations, including government-owned and leased real property, fleets, mobility (i.e., business travel and commuting), procurement of goods and services, and National Safety and Security (NSS) operations. The federal fleet comprises roughly 40,000 vehicles with over 17,000 conventional light-duty vehicles (LDV), and more than 12,000 in the NSS fleet. The government also owns approximately 2,600 commercial medium and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDV) and 7,400 other vehicles, such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, off-road vehicles, and industrial equipment.
The GGS commitments for mobility and fleets include the adoption of low-carbon mobility solutions, the deployment of supporting infrastructure in government facilities and a modernization of the fleet as follows:
- The government will prioritize zero-emission options for all new vehicle and mobile equipment purchases where suitable options are available and considering operational feasibility.
- Starting in 2025, 100% of new light-duty fleet vehicle (LDV) purchases will be ZEVs, with the objective that the government’s light-duty fleet comprises 100% ZEVs by 2030.
- By 2030, at least 40% of new commercial medium- and heavy-duty (MHDV) vehicle purchases will be ZEVs.
- Fleet management will be optimized to achieve the targets, including by maintaining a long-term strategic fleet greening plan, establishing internal policies and controls to prioritize ZEVs, right-sizing fleets, and vehicles, promoting energy-efficient operating practices, and applying telematics to analyze vehicle usage data and inform electric vehicle (EV) charging needs.
Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) Greening Government Fleets Program assists federal organizations in meeting GGS targets by providing technical support for the planning and deployment of ZEVs and charging infrastructure in Government of Canada facilities. The team works with fleet managers to find strategic mobility solutions tailored to their operational needs.
Context
The transition to ZEVs presents unique challenges for remote and northern GC fleet operations where winter temperatures can reach -50 degrees Celsius, and 24-hour darkness can persist for up to half of the year. More than 600 federal fleet vehicles operate north of the 60th parallel, all of which are currently powered by internal combustion engines. To date, federal organizations have been unable to decarbonize these northern and remote duty cycles due to concerns around the performance of EVSE and its integration with local grids. Moreover, many remote sites rely on diesel generators to power facilities, which can offset the environmental benefits of ZEV powertrains.
For ZEVs to be operationally feasible in the North, the GC must understand EVSE requirements in cold climates, and ensure compatibility with renewable-powered microgrids and energy storage systems. To this end, Environment and Climate Change Canada, with funding from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat led Greening Government Fund and support from NRCan, is conducting a pilot project that will evaluate the performance of an electric vehicle—powered by renewable electricity—in a harsh high arctic environment.
Insights and perspectives are requested on renewable energy generation solutions, with a focus on three key themes: power generation and storage, operation in the North, and EV charging compatibility.
Contact us
Respondents interested in providing a response by email may deliver it to: GGO_fleets-EOG_parcs_vehicules@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Disclaimer
Please note this is solely a request for information and does not represent formal consultation for a current or future funding opportunity. NRCan is not obligated to respond directly or indirectly to any of the issues submitted under an RFI.
NRCan will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding. Respondents will have no claim for damages, compensation, loss of profit, or allowance arising out of providing comments in response to the RFI.
Please do not include any information you consider proprietary or confidential. NRCan will handle the responses in accordance with the Access to Information Act.
Responses may be shared with other departments within the Government of Canada unless the respondent specifically indicates otherwise.
NRCan may, at its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response.