Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI): Education and Awareness Project Funding - Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is seeking to support projects that focus on EV charging education, such as basic charging knowledge (e.g. physical interaction, use of apps, charging standards etc.), demystifying home charging, MURB charging, battery life concerns and more through two areas of focus:

Area of Focus 1 - EV test drives and experiential charging education

• Support for projects that include experiential charging education for the general public and commercial drivers, including EV test drive campaigns to attract undecided Canadians, with charging experiences that include winter/cold weather test drives and/ education on all aspects of EVs.

Area of Focus 2 - Resources and education for enablers

• Support for projects that include the development of resources and education for enablers, such as corporate decision-makers, large employers, fleet managers, municipal planners/governments, EV salespeople, utilities, schoolteachers and first responders.

Examples of project activities

• Outreach campaigns, with priority given to projects featuring hands on learning
• Events and activities such as test drive and trial programsFootnote*, mobile showcases, and ambassador or mentorship programs, including in underserved areas with a focus on driving range, total ownership costs and winter performance.
• Interactive educational activities for enablers (policymakers, decision makers, etc.) on effective policy options, permitting, purchasing and other aspects related to EV charging infrastructure deployment, and the ownership and operation of EVs.

NOTE: The following project types are out of scope for this call for proposals: technician training programs, online/digital-only projects for the general public, and vehicle-only education projects. All projects must include charging education.

Organizations and legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including not-for-profit and for-profit organizations such as:

• provincial, territorial, regional, or municipal governments or their departments or agencies, where applicable
• Indigenous and community groups 

Applicants must disclose contributions from other federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal governments and industry sources, whether that funding is confirmed or still in negotiations.

If the recipient is an Indigenous business or community, a not-for-profit organization, a provincial, territorial, regional, or municipal government, or their department or agency, the total contribution from the Government of Canada will not exceed 100% of Total Project Costs. If the recipient is a for-profit organization, the total contributions from the Government of Canada may not exceed 75% of Total Project Costs. 

• electricity or gas utilities
• private sector companies
• industry associations
• research associations
• standards development organizations
• Indigenous and community groups
• Canadian academic institutions

international legal entities validly incorporated or registered abroad, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as:

• private sector companies
• industry associations
• research associations
• standards organizations; and,
• academic institutions

For Indigenous organizations, local governments, and non-profits, the maximum contribution amount is up to 75% of Total Project Costs, to a maximum of $200,000.

NRCan funding for all projects will span a single government fiscal year (April 1 – March 31) and will have an end date no later than March 31, 2027, with projects ending by September 30, 2027. NRCan funding must be fully expended by March 31, 2027.