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Electric Vehicles

Types of Electric Vehicles Public EV Charging Stations Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Rate EVC Rates - FAQs Various Levels of Charging

Home Energy Efficiency & Generation Clean Energy & Innovation Electric Vehicles

Join us in driving towards a cleaner, greener planet.

GrandBridge Energy’s purpose is to lead the energy transition by enabling our communities to achieve a sustainable energy future.

We don’t just provide electricity, we ensure that it’s reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly. We support the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by providing robust and reliable electric infrastructure to your home and business. Our commitment to innovation and sustainability ensures that as you transition to driving an electric vehicle, we’re right there with you, powering every kilometre of your journey.

Man charging his Electric Vehicle

Types of Electric Vehicles

Types of EVs

Vehicle Type Energy Source Description
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Electricity from external sources and regenerative braking. Operates solely on an electric drive train powered by a battery.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Rechargeable battery and gasoline (can operate on battery alone). Utilizes a battery-powered electric drive train but also includes an internal combustion engine.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Rechargeable battery and gasoline. Uses a combination of an electric and gas drive system. It does not require plugging in.
Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Hydrogen and Oxygen Generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.

Public EV Charging Stations

Here are resources to locate public EV charging stations across North America:

There are three options for charging an EV at home, work and in the community:

Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Rate

If you own or operate a commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging station, you may be eligible for the new Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Rate.

The EVC Rate is an electricity delivery rate designed specifically for eligible EV charging stations in Ontario to better reflect the transmission costs of serving EV chargers with low load factors. It reduces the Retail Transmission Service Rates (RTSRs) paid by participating EV charging stations.

You must submit an opt-in form to request the EVC Rate. Before accessing and completing the form, read the Frequently Asked Questions to ensure you are eligible.

 

EVC Opt-In Form

EVC Rates - Frequently Asked Questions

EV charging stations must meet all the following criteria to participate in the EVC Rate:

  • Have at least one Direct Current Fast Charger,
  • Ensure that at least 90% of total monthly peak demand is attributable to EV charging,
  • Have a monthly peak demand between 50 kW and 4,999 kW,
  • Have a 12-month average load factor of 20% or less,
  • Must not primarily serve commercial/public sector EV fleets, and
  • Any distributed energy resource behind the account’s meter must not exceed the station’s annual peak demand.

A “customer” refers to the owner or operator of an EV charging station whose facilities are connected to or are intended to be connected to an electricity distributor’s distribution system. A customer is not the end-user of the EV charging service, such as the driver of a vehicle that uses the EV charging station.

The EVC Rate reduces the RTSRs that participating EV charging stations would otherwise pay. RTSRs are part of the electricity bill.

Participating customers will pay 17% of the RTSR that other customers in a distributor’s General Service 50 kW to 4,999 kW class will pay. In other words, if a customer’s base RTSR is $100/kW, it would instead pay $17/kW under the EVC Rate.

The EVC Rate better aligns the RTSRs paid by participating EV charging stations with the transmission system costs incurred to serve them.

Customers will be able to submit opt-in forms up to 90 days before the EVC Rate becomes available. The EVC Rate will only begin once our 2026 distribution rates are approved by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). Once approved, any completed opt-in forms will be processed, and the EVC Rate will begin on the customer’s next applicable billing period, depending on when the form is received and when their billing cycle falls.

You must submit an opt-in form to request the EVC Rate. Access the form below, save a copy for your records and submit the completed form to [email protected]

Access EVC Rate Opt-In Form

No. Charging stations that may participate in the EVC Rate include those that are located:

  • On or near highways
  • On the site of a retail establishment, plaza, shopping centre
  • On the site of a municipal, university, school or hospital building
  • On a site associated with a multi-unit residential building, such as a condominium
  • On employee parking lots.

The EVC Rate aims to fill gaps in public charging infrastructure in underserved areas. The rate was designed to reduce the cost of electricity for public EV chargers in areas where demand for the service is only beginning to emerge, making it more economical to build charging infrastructure in more communities.

More information about the EVC Rate can be found in the OEB’s Electric Vehicle Rate Overview Report.

Access OEB EVC Rate Overview Report

Various Levels of Charging

There are three options for charging an EV at home, work and in the community:

Level 1 charging is the most accessible and cost-efficient method and utilizes a standard 120-volt outlet. All EVs are equipped with a portable 120-volt cord set, enabling you to charge your vehicle at any location with a standard electrical outlet.

A plug connected to an electric vehicle's charging port.

While the Level 1 Charger may take the longest, it’s the most straightforward and hassle-free way to charge your EV.

You do not need to contact GrandBridge Energy to upgrade your electrical service to charge your EV using a Level 1 charger at home or work.

Level 2 EV chargers operate at a higher power outlet of 240 volts and offer practical solutions for residential and workplace settings.

The cost of installing a Level 2 charger typically ranges from $800 to $3,000, and there will be additional costs if upgrades or modifications are needed to your electrical panel and/or power service.

An electric vehicle charges in a home.

Steps to Safely Install a Level 2 Charger

  1. Contact a Licensed Electrician with experience in installing an EV charging station.
  2. Conduct a technical assessment: The licensed electrician will evaluate the technical requirements to verify if your home/workplace has a sufficient electricity supply and whether the electrical service needs to be upgraded.
  3. Contact GrandBridge Energy if an upgrade to your home/workplace electrical service is required. The licensed electrician will advise of the costs and will contact GrandBridge Energy and submit a Request Service Layout form.
  4. Install the Level 2 charger: Once your home/workplace meets the power and panel requirements, the licensed electrician will proceed with the installation of the Level 2 charger.

Note: If you are a vendor who installs multiple Level 2 chargers at a location within the GrandBridge Energy service territory, please contact GrandBridge Energy by submitting a Request Service Layout form before commencing any work.

Level 3 chargers, also known as DC Fast Chargers, offer the quickest charging speed among all charger types. They can potentially charge your electric vehicle (EV) in less than an hour for a fee. It is important to note that not all EV models are compatible with these chargers.

A row of electric vehicles at outdoor charging stations.

The high-power load of these chargers requires significant infrastructure upgrades, making them unsuitable for installation at home.

Note: If you are a vendor who installs multiple Level 3 chargers at locations within the GrandBridge Energy service territory, please submit a Request Service Layout form in advance of commencing any work.