Funding Opportunity – Zero-Emissions Vehicle Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI)
January 13, 2023
Funding Amount: Up to $150,000 per year for up to two years
Matching funds: NRCan will fund up to 75% of project costs
Duration: Projects to be completed no later than March 31, 2025
Statement of Interest (SOI) due: no later than January 27, 2022
Natural Resources Canada is looking to fund education and outreach initiatives around Zero-Emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
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.
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.
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
Please see the ZEVIA Applicant Guide (attached below) for additional information.
If you are interested in applying, please contact the Funding and Grants Coordinators: Max Smith (max.smith@trca.ca) or Samuel Hale (samuel.hale@trca.ca) to discuss your project’s eligibility.