Deadline: 13-Mar-23
The Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI) is looking to fund new and innovative projects that aim to increase knowledge, awareness, and confidence in medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission or low-emission vehicles among fleet owners, drivers and the general public.
They recognize the unique opportunities that zero-emission vehicle awareness can present for Indigenous businesses and communities and encourage Indigenous participation on all projects. Natural Resources Canada wants to ensure that their current and future processes include measures to enable and encourage greater Indigenous participation.
This can include battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and renewable natural gas-powered vehicles, engine repowers and conversions, as well as fuel-efficient retrofits, fleet assessments and smart logistics. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) are those that weigh more than 8,500 lbs, including large pickup trucks, delivery vans, refuse trucks, buses, and long-haul freight trucks (Classes 2B to 8). This call for proposals will support—via cost-shared contribution agreements—outreach, education, and capacity-building activities, enabling greater adoption of ZEVs and lower-carbon vehicles in the MHDV sector in all regions of the country.
How much support could the Organization Receive?
- This funding will be delivered through cost-shared, non-repayable contributions for eligible projects via contribution agreements with successful applicants.
- Financial support for projects is based on the total amount of funds available for ZEVAI.
- NRCan will fund up to 50% of project costs for for-profit organizations and up to 75% of project costs for non-profit organizations, other orders of government, and Indigenous organizations or businesses.
Types of Eligible Projects
- NRCan will provide funding for new and innovative awareness and education activities that are to take place in Canada and that will facilitate the uptake of zero-emission or low-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, alternative fuel, or retrofits and repowers for internal combustion engines.
- Proposed projects could include, but are not limited to:
- Developing and implementing novel targeted outreach and awareness campaigns
- Creating new web-based resources or information portals
- Demonstrating the potential of zero-emission or low-emission vehicles and showcasing them through test-drive and trial programs, mobile showcases, ambassador or mentorship programs, including in underserved areas
- Undertaking actions to increase knowledge and visibility of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and alternative fuel technologies (e.g., hydrogen fuelling technology)
- Increasing knowledge of zero-emission or low-emission fleet options and technologies among end users such as commercial or municipal fleets
- Developing curriculum, training material, or best practice guides and educational tools to support the uptake of zero-emission or low-emission MHDVs throughout Canada
- Developing resources to assist fleets in decision-making to support the transition to lower-carbon and zero-emission vehicles
- Creating educational material for fleets on the emissions reduction potential and savings from engine conversions, repowers or fuel-efficient retrofits
- Educating fleet owners on methods for fleet assessments and the use of smart logistics to reduce emissions
Criteria
- Successful applicants can start their projects upon receipt of the Letter of Conditional Approval from NRCan. However, expenses incurred prior to the signing of a contribution agreement by Canada are incurred at the Proponent’s own risk. While such expenses may be counted towards total project costs, they are not eligible for NRCan reimbursement.
- Important note: The submission of an application creates no obligation on the part of Natural Resources Canada to provide funding for the proposed project.
- Please note, NRCan will not fund advertising or marketing campaigns (e.g., endorsements of single products or services) designed to generate sales revenue for the applicant or project partners. Under this CFP, NRCan will not fund repeat or extended projects (same deliverables, audience, location) that were previously undertaken by the organization. Annual events held by organizations are not eligible for NRCan funding.
For more information, visit ZEVAI.