New Ontario Provincial rebate program for home charging installations...

[mknox]

Meeting with the Ontario Ministry of Energy to discuss EV policies tomorrow. I'll see what I can find out...

[CanuckS#69]

How about a nice provincial EV incentive like the BC one?

[mknox]

Meeting with the Ontario Ministry of Energy to discuss EV policies tomorrow. I'll see what I can find out...

So, I met with the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Transportation along with a few electricity distributors and some observers to discuss EV and EV policy issues. Specific to the issue of the EV charger rebate, the details are still being worked out and the program is supposed to launch January 1st. I talked a bit about how the Tesla charger is on-board and in a lot of cases, a simple NEMA 14-50 or 14-30 is all that will be required. Apparently, up to 50% of the charger cost AND 50% of the wiring infrastructure costs up to the $1,000 cap will be eligible. This would mean, if finalized this way, that we in Ontario could still realize some form of rebate for simply wiring in an outlet.

Here's something I didn't know: Any person who receives a rebate (either for an EV or Charger) has their 6-digit postal code released to the local electric utility. (I haven't received any postal codes yet which means either this hasn't started yet, or no EV rebates have gone out in my company's service territory). This is to aid the utility in capacity planning.

I need to dig into this a bit further, but I am also given to understand that there are some new or proposed changes to the Electrical Code concerning EV charging circuits. All EV chargers are required to have a compulsory inspection (pre-authorized electricians often don't have to have their work physically inspected), and EV circuits (even outlets) are designated as "continuous load" and there are labeling requirements for outlets. 120 volt circuits will have to be 20 amp and use NEMA 5-20 receptacles.

[Doug_G]

I need to dig into this a bit further, but I am also given to understand that there are some new or proposed changes to the Electrical Code concerning EV charging circuits. All EV chargers are required to have a compulsory inspection (pre-authorized electricians often don't have to have their work physically inspected), and EV circuits (even outlets) are designated as "continuous load" and there are labeling requirements for outlets. 120 volt circuits will have to be 20 amp and use NEMA 5-20 receptacles.

Sure, gold plate everything while you're at it.

[mknox]

Sure, gold plate everything while you're at it.

There was a lot of discussion about EVSE as if any/all electric cars will have to have one, and about how to capture this information to help the utility with load forecasts. The new electrical code requirements were kind of a sidebar discussion. I said I could simply have an electrician wire in a NEMA 14-50 and not tell him what it's for (it's just an outlet, after all) and there was a recognition that yes, you could do this. I guess you're suppose to disclose what the outlet is for (then the EV provisions would kick in). Actual EVSE equipment would be obvious to the electrician, which is what most non-Tesla EVs will require.

I have a guy that works for me who is a licensed electrician and I'm going to get him to dig into this a bit. (Electric utilities generally do not get involved in "behind-the-meter" activities, so electrical (wiring) code issues are not something I'm up on).

[colinb]

So based on what mknox is saying I could get cash back for the wiring up of an outlet? I am choosing not to proceed with the HPWC at this point until I have some real usage data to make a better decisions but obviously need to move on an outlet ASAP.

[mknox]

So based on what mknox is saying I could get cash back for the wiring up of an outlet? I am choosing not to proceed with the HPWC at this point until I have some real usage data to make a better decisions but obviously need to move on an outlet ASAP.

We haven't set a follow up meeting date yet, but I'll keep my ear to the ground on this one. The word is that the program is supposed to launch in the new year and that up to 50% of wiring costs up to the $1,000 cap would be eligible. The conversation was around actual EVSE equipment and so I specifically mentioned that all Tesla needs is an outlet (charger is in the car). That's when the MOT guy said wiring by itself would count.

I wonder if the HPWC would "count" as a charger, because it isn't, really.

[Doug_G]

The are no external chargers for any of these OEM cars. It's an imprecise colloquial term for an EVSE - Electric Vehicle Service Equipment. It's really just a safety system; nothing more, nothing less.

[mknox]

The are no external chargers for any of these OEM cars. It's an imprecise colloquial term for an EVSE - Electric Vehicle Service Equipment. It's really just a safety system; nothing more, nothing less.

While that's true, Tesla has made a big deal about how their cars can plug in anywhere and don't need specific EVSE like other EVs. I recently saw a video in which Franz von Holzhausen corrected someone about needing a charger and said Model S only utilizes a stylish connector cord.

I'll bet that the provincial grant for EVSE equipment will require something in the way of a standard, like J1772.

Technically, the Tesla UMC is "EVSE", but I doubt the grant would apply to that (I actually wish it would, and I'd pick up a spare to leave in the car). The HPWC "may" squeak in as long as the gov't doesn't exclude it because it is a proprietary system.

In any event, getting up to 50% off (up to the $1,000 cap) for the home wiring is still a good deal.

[Hut]

Only the HPWC is qualified under this program. See here:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan...charging.shtml

Anyone has an idea how much does it cost to wire a HPWC in the garage on average?