As of July 1, 2010, Ontario consumers were eligible for an incentive ranging from $5,000 to $8,500 towards the purchase or lease of a new plug-in hybrid electric or battery electric vehicle. The Ontario EV program also offers non-monetary incentives. These include access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes – even if only one person is in the car – and access to public recharging infrastructure at Ontario government parking lots (such as GO bus and train stations around the Greater Toronto Area).
The EV incentive program applies to new, highway capable, plug-in hybrid eligible electric vehicles (PHEVs) or battery electric vehicles (BEVs) purchased on or after July 1, 2010. The value of the incentive is based on the vehicle’s battery capacity and ranges from $5,000 for a 4 kWh battery to $8,500 for a 17kWh battery. The value of the incentive for leased vehicles is scaled to the term of the lease.
Consult the official list of vehicles that currently qualify for the incentive.
The EV incentive program is open to persons, businesses, municipalities, non-government organizations and non-profit groups. Applicants can receive incentives for no more than five vehicles per calendar year.
Leased vehicles are eligible for an incentive depending on the term of the lease and whether the vehicle is used for personal or fleet purposes. To qualify for the full value of the incentive, a minimum 36-month lease term is required. For vehicles leased for shorter terms, the incentive will be applied according to the following schedule:
Term of Lease (months) Personal Vehicles Fleet Vehicles
12 33.3% 0%
24 66.7% 0%
36 100% 100%
If vehicles do not meet the specified term requirements, the incentive payment must be repaid in full.
To qualify for the incentive, EVs for personal use must be registered and plated in Ontario for a minimum of 12 months. Fleet vehicles must be registered and plated in Ontario for a minimum of 36 months to qualify for the program.
Eligible electric vehicles purchased in another jurisdiction can qualify for the incentive only if the registration of the vehicle in Ontario is the first time the vehicle has been registered in any jurisdiction. Vehicles that have been registered in other jurisdictions prior to Ontario do not qualify for the incentive.
If vehicles do not meet the residency requirements for the specified term, the incentive payment must be repaid in full.
There are two ways to receive the incentive. The automobile dealer can apply the incentive at the point-of-sale and then submit the incentive application on your behalf. Alternatively, you can purchase the vehicle at full price and apply directly for the incentive by completing the application form and submitting it to the Ontario Ministry of Revenue.
The incentive is applied to the after tax value of the vehicle. In the case of a leased vehicle, the monthly principle amount will reflect the reduced cost of the vehicle.
Download the incentive application form (PDF version, Web version) and guide (PDF version, Web version).
Consult the list of eligible vehicles and incentive values
Download the incentive application form (PDF version, Web version) and guide (PDF version, Web version).
If you are a vehicle manufacturer, download an application to qualify your vehicle for the Electric Vehicle Incentive Program
Contact Service Ontario at 1-866-668-8297
© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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