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.
Components of the RTSRs:
Network Service Rate
Covers the cost of moving electricity across the 500 kV, 230 kV and 115 kV system.
Line and Transformation Connection Service Rates
Transformation Connection Service Rate
Covers the cost for the use of the transformer to step down the power from transmission to distribution voltages.
Line Connection Service Rate
Covers the cost of moving electricity across the peripheral transmission facilities enroute to be stepped down for distribution.
Who is eligible for the EVC Rate?
EV charging stations must meet the following criteria to receive the EVC Rate:
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Have at least one Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) (often referred to as a Level 3 charger)
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At least 90 per cent of total monthly peak demand must be for EV charging
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Average monthly maximum demand must be between 50 kW and 4,999 kW (measured over the most recent annual billing period or forecast over 12 consecutive months)
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12-month average load factor must be 20 per cent or less (measured over the most recent annual billing period or forecasted over 12 consecutive months)
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Must not primarily serve commercial or public sector EV fleets
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Any Distributed Energy Resource (DER) behind the account's meter must not exceed the station's annual peak demand
How is the EVC Rate calculated?
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.
Who is considered a customer under the EVC Rate?
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.
How do I apply for the EVC Rate?
Eligible customers must opt-in by submitting the Electric Vehicle Charging Rate Opt-In Form.
Electric Vehicle Charging Rate Q/As (Updated Sept. 11, 2025)
Questions and Answers:
What is the Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Rate?
The EVC Rate is an electricity delivery rate designed specifically for eligible electric vehicle (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 paid by participating EV charging stations.
Who is eligible for the EVC Rate?
EV charging stations must meet all the following criteria to participate in the EVC Rate:
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Have at least one Direct Current Fast Charger,
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Ensure that at least 90% of total monthly peak demand is attributable to EV charging,
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Have a monthly peak demand between 50 kW and 4,999 kW,
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Have a 12-month average load factor of 20% or less,
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Must not primarily serve commercial/public sector EV fleets, and
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Any distributed energy resource behind the account’s meter must not exceed the station’s annual peak demand.
How is the EVC Rate calculated?
The EVC Rate reduces the Retail Transmission Service Rates that participating EV charging stations would otherwise pay. Retail Transmission Services Rates are part of the electricity bill.
Participating customers will pay 17% of the Retail Transmission Service Rate 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 Retail Transmission Service Rate is $100/kW, it would instead pay $17/kW under the EVC Rate.
The EVC Rate better aligns the Retail Transmission Service Rates paid by participating EV charging stations with the transmission system costs incurred to serve them.
When can I apply for the EVC Rate?
The EVC rate will be available effective May 01, 2026, in accordance with our Ontario Energy Board (OEB) approved distribution rates. However, you may now complete the Opt-In Form for Electric Vehicle Charging Rate.
How do I apply for the EVC Rate?
Eligible customers must submit an opt-in form to us. Electrical Vehicle Charging (EVC) Opt-in Form
Who is considered a “customer” under the EVC Rate?
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.
I have an EV charger installed at my home. Am I eligible for the EVC Rate?
No. Charging stations that may participate in the EVC Rate include those that are located:
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On or near highways
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On the site of a retail establishment, plaza, shopping centre
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On the site of a municipal, university, school or hospital building
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On a site associated with a multi-unit residential building, such as a condominium
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On employee parking lots.
Why does the EVC Rate not apply to customers with EV chargers installed at home?
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.
Where can I find more information about the EVC Rate?
More information about the EVC Rate can be found in the OEB’s Electrical Vehicle Charging EVC Rate Overview Final Report.