Home Blog EV ChargeON Program, A Major Grant Opportunity in Ontario for Public EV Charging

EV ChargeON Program, A Major Grant Opportunity in Ontario for Public EV Charging

Are you a business owner, municipality, Indigenous community or non-profit in Ontario looking to install publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure? Now is your moment. The Government of Ontario, through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation (Ontario), has reopened the EV ChargeON Program, offering significant grant funding to support EV charger deployment across the province.


What is the EV ChargeON Program?

The EV ChargeON Program is designed to accelerate the deployment of publicly accessible EV charging stations in Ontario, especially in underserved communities and along key travel corridors.

• It provides post-construction rebates up to 50 %–75 % of eligible capital costs for eligible applicants, with a project maximum of $1 million.
• Eligible applicants include businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations, not-for-profit corporations, and broader public-sector entities located in Ontario.
• Sites must be publicly accessible

For full details, visit the official program page at OVIN: EV ChargeON Program.

Why this is a must-apply opportunity
If you are considering installing EV chargers at your site, now is the perfect time. Here’s why:

  • Significant funding: Up to 75 % of your costs may be covered depending on applicant type and location substantial cost savings.
  • Competitive advantage: With EV adoption growing rapidly, having public chargers at your property enhances value, customer draw, and future-proofing.
  • Support for rural & underserved areas: The program specifically aims to fill gaps in charging infrastructure, so sites in smaller municipalities or Indigenous communities may receive priority.
  • Strong policy momentum: Ontario’s commitment to building EV infrastructure is clear the budget boost signals a serious governmental push.
  • Expert guidance increases success chance: The application process is competitive and involves technical, budgeting, and execution criteria. Having an experienced partner can boost your odds of approval.


What you need to know to qualify
Applicant & site eligibility

• Applicants must be located in Ontario and be a legal entity (municipality, business, Indigenous organization, not-for-profit).
• Site must be publicly accessible 24/7/365 (for higher funding rates). Sites with restricted hours receive only ~25 %.
• The applicant must either own the site or have written approval to install and operate the chargers for at least 5 years.

Funding & eligible costs

• Maximum funding per project: $1 million.
• Funding coverage: Up to 75% for municipalities or Indigenous applicants; generally up to 50% for businesses.
• Eligible costs include: charger purchase/installation, site preparation, signage, testing, commissioning, professional services.
• Costs like electricity consumption, routine maintenance, or salaries are generally not eligible.

Application timeline & process

• According to recent updates, the application window opened November 3, 2025 and closes December 15, 2025.
• Applications will be scored on merit: site readiness, project rationale, budget clarity, ability to deliver, technical specs.
• Projects must be completed within about 12 months from signing the Letter of Agreement.


How Neon Charging can help you win

At Neon Charging, we specialise in helping businesses, municipalities and organizations navigate EV-infrastructure grant applications and boost their chances of approval for programs like EV ChargeON. Here’s how we support you:

  • Application strategy: We review your site, build a tailored project rationale, map your eligibility and help craft the strongest possible submission.
  • Technical readiness: Our engineering team assesses your electrical feasibility, prepares required documentation (e.g., for loads above 50 kW), and develops your implementation plan.
  • Budget & documentation: We assist in building compliant budgets, clearly delineating eligible vs ineligible costs, and collating all required forms (proof of site ownership/access, funding confirmation, etc).
  • Installation support: From charger procurement through installation, commissioning and reporting, we coordinate the end-to-end process ensuring compliance with program requirements.
  • Compliance & reporting: We help meet the ongoing obligations completion reports, annual usage reports up to 5 years so you stay in good standing.

    With our expertise, you can maximize your odds of success and avoid common pitfalls that undermine grant applications.

Reach out to our team now: Contact Neon Charging. We’re ready to guide you through every step.