ZEV Awareness Initiative Medium - and Heavy-Duty Stream
“Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)”
The funder does not disclose this information
Maximum Eligible Amount
Government Grant
Fund Type
The second call for proposals will focus on awareness and education projects through the Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative’s (ZEVAI) new medium- and heavy-duty stream. This expansion of the Awareness Initiative will support outreach, education and capacity-building projects related to low-emission and zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDV). By addressing low levels of awareness and confidence among businesses and fleet owners, ZEVAI projects will support more widespread adoption of these vehicles, further driving the decarbonization of the MHDV sector across the country
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.
Why Is This Important?
Freight transportation accounts for 10% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of reducing emissions from on-road freight, while increasing the competitiveness of the transportation sector. Reducing transportation emissions is critical to achieving the Government’s ambitious climate change commitments and is consistent with the global shift toward zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).
The decarbonization of freight carrying trucks and other medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) is critical to these efforts. With an estimated 130,000 sales annually, replacing the 2.6 million MHDVs currently in operation with zero-emission alternatives will take time, as many of these vehicles remain on the road for 15 years or longer. Canada must take steps to decarbonize the fleets of today, while priming the market for electrification.
In 2022, the Government of Canada issued a plan for reducing emissions: 2030 Emissions Reductions Plan – Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy. In it, the Government reinforced its commitment to fight climate change, create jobs, and ensure that Canadians are global leaders in the transition to clean industries and technologies. The plan is an ambitious and achievable sector-by-sector approach through which the Government aims to reach its new climate target of cutting emissions by 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, putting us on track toward our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
To accelerate the path to net-zero, the Government of Canada will develop an MHDV regulation to require that 100% of MHDV sales be ZEVs by 2040 in select vehicles categories and based on feasibility. However, zero-emission technologies for MHDVs are less commercially ready than those for light-duty vehicles, and significant barriers remain to their widespread adoption, including low awareness and confidence among businesses and fleet operators, the vast majority (99%) of which are small companies facing tight margins.
While ZEV alternatives are becoming more widely available for many urban applications (e.g., buses, return-to-base delivery vehicles), additional challenges must be overcome for long-haul freight (e.g., technology readiness and inadequate charging/refuelling infrastructure). Addressing gaps in knowledge and experience with zero-emission and lower-carbon technologies is critical to supporting Canadian fleets in the transition to net-zero and meeting the Government’s goals under theEmissions Reduction Plan to reduce emissions in the sector.
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