If you’re ready to commit to greener, cleaner transportation, an electric vehicle is the way to go. With an electricity-powered vehicle, you can say goodbye to gas station stops and rising fuel rates. But have you considered how you’ll charge your electric vehicle?

To make the most out of your EV, you’ll need a vehicle charging station at home. It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to charge your car. You can refill your car battery just like you charge your phone or laptop; simply plug in the vehicle, and let it fill up for a few hours.

If you’re starting to plan your EV charger installation in Winnipeg, you’ve come to the right place. One of your first questions will be: how much will it cost?

The total cost of installing an EV charger will vary based on a few things, like:

• What level of EV charger are you installing?

• Where are you installing the charging station?

• Which type of electric vehicle are you using?

Home charging stations (also known as electric vehicle supply equipment, or EVSE)  keep your vehicle fully charged, so it will be ready whenever you need it. At Powertec Solar, we install a range of home charging stations. Here’s what factors into the cost of installing an EV charger:

 

What Are The Different Levels Of EV Chargers?

How fast do you want your vehicle to charge? Depending on what you’re looking for, you have several charger options to choose from.

The level of charging station you install will affect the overall charging time of your electric vehicle. Here’s what to look for:

 

Level 1: As far as EV chargers go, this one is the most basic; it plugs into any standard 110-volt outlet. That means it can be used with a regular outlet. No special installation is required. With most electric vehicles, your purchase will come with a Level 1 charger.

This is the most affordable option, but it also has the longest charging times. It can take up to 24 hours to fully charge your vehicle. Level 1 chargers are useful when you’re in a pinch (if you run out of battery power when you’re out and about), and you need to charge your car. But due to slow charging times, we recommend the next level for home charging stations.

At home, you want something faster and more efficient. For that, look for the next type of charger:

 

Level 2: Level 2 EV chargers come at a higher cost, but faster charging times are the payoff. To illustrate how much faster they are, consider this: Level 1 EV chargers give 6-13 km per hour (4-8 miles/hour) of charging time, while Level 2 EV chargers provide up to 48 km (30 miles) of driving range per hour. That means you can charge your electric car in 2-5 hours.

Level 2 charging stations must be used with a 240 volt outlet. This charging station requires an installation from a licenced electrician.

We recommend Level 2 electric vehicle chargers for most homeowners. You will need an electrician to upgrade your electrical outlet and install the charger, but the time you save charging will certainly be worth it.

 

Level 3: If you’re looking for the fastest charging times on the market, a Level 3 EV charger is what you need. These chargers require a 480-volt outlet. You can use a Level 3 to charge multiple electric vehicles at once.

With a Level 3 electric car charger, you can fully charge your electric car in an hour or less. Most homeowners don’t need Level 3 chargers; these are more suitable for a commercial use or at a public charging station.

 

What Are The Different Types Of EV Chargers?

There are two main types of EV chargers: plug-in chargers, and hardwired chargers. Plug-in charging stations connect to a 240 volt power outlet. A hardwired charging station is connected directly to an electrical panel (instead of a power outlet).

Some electric vehicles require chargers that are specific to that brand. At Powertec Solar, we install the following brands of EV charging stations:

Tesla

Designed specifically for Tesla vehicles, these chargers are fast and efficient. You need a specific Tesla charger for your Tesla vehicle; otherwise, you’ll need to use an adaptor with it.

Porsche

You can’t beat the convenience of having a charger at home. Monitor your battery status using the Porsche Connect app, which helps you plan your trips. You’ll receive alerts whenever your battery is running low.

ChargePoint

If you’re looking for a high-end EV charger, this model is what you need. You can monitor the battery charge of your car via an app. While you’re on the go, you can use the app to find nearby charging stations. ChargePoint EV chargers are Energy Star certified, which makes them even more environmentally friendly.

 

What Affects The Cost Of Your Electric Vehicle Charging Station?

Installation costs will vary depending on a few things. First, consider the current electrical capacity of your home. Are the electrical systems equipped to power a 240 volt outlet? In most cases, you’ll need to upgrade your home’s electrical service; otherwise, you might blow the breaker box.

Do you need to acquire any permits for the installation? Given the high voltage of a Level 2 charger, you may need a permit to have one installed at your home. By working with certified EV charging station installers, you can ensure that all the work is up to code.

Finally, be sure to work with a certified and licenced electrician. Electrical work is not something you should leave to chance. For your safety, and to prevent any potential fire hazards, always work with an experienced electrician.

 

Best Places To Install Your EV Charger

In a place as cold as Winnipeg, it’s best to install your EV charger indoors—ideally, inside of a garage. We suggest having your charging station wired directly in your attached garage.

Ideally, you want your EV charger to be in the same spot that you park your electric vehicle. You want the charging wire itself to have some slack; if it’s pulled too tightly, it could pose a safety hazard.

 

Schedule An EV Charger Installation For Your Home Today

At Powertec Solar, we offer EV charger installations in an attached garage for $1999. These chargers range from $700 to $1000 to purchase, and installation is on top of that.

We’re certified to install EV chargers for popular electric cars, including Tesla and Porsche. Powertec Solar is a ChargePoint partner; we can install Home Flex Level 2 chargers in your residence.

With an electric vehicle, you’ll never have to pay for gas again. Ready to add an EV charger to your garage? We can help. To request a quote, contact Powertec Solar today.

Electric cars haven’t always been affordable. But gas prices keep rising, and so do the costs of our carbon emissions.

Our decisions directly impact our environment, from the products we buy to the cars we drive. As consumers, it’s our responsibility to make greener choices.

You want to do your part to reduce your carbon footprint and prevent climate change. Maybe you’ve always wanted to buy an electric vehicle, but the cost held you back. Did you know that there are federal and provincial rebates for EVs?

In Canada, you can receive up to $5,000 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle. With this rebate, electric vehicles just became a lot more affordable!

Ready to swap out your gas-guzzling car for one that’s completely electric? Here’s what you need to know:

About iZEV

iZEV, which stands for Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles, was launched in May 2019. It’s a federal program that aims to provide consumers with financial aid to purchase electric vehicles.

First, let’s clear up what a zero emission vehicle is. It’s any car that doesn’t produce tailpipe emissions. Any battery-electric vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is considered a ZEV. E-bikes, motorcycles, and used vehicles are not eligible.

Want to know how to qualify for this rebate? You must:

• Purchase a new vehicle. Used vehicles don’t qualify. However, you can purchase a demonstrator vehicle that has less than 10,000 km on the odometer.
• Or, lease a vehicle for at least 12 months. The incentive amount varies based on the lease; if the car is leased for 48 months, you’ll receive the full amount, but if the lease is 24 months, you’ll only receive half.

If the vehicle has 6 or fewer seats, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) must be less than $45,000. If the vehicle has 7 or more seats, the MSRP must be less than $55,000.

Have you been thinking about buying an electric vehicle? Now’s the time. You can purchase or lease an electric vehicle and receive up to $5,000 towards the final cost. Depending on where you live, you can combine this federal initiative with other provincial rebates.

 

Which electric vehicles are eligible?

Curious about which specific vehicles are eligible for this rebate? You can view the list here. Keep in mind that this list is continually updated; if there’s a vehicle you have your eye on, be sure to check back often.

Depending on the type of electric vehicle you purchase, the incentive rebate will vary. A longer-range plug-in vehicle (with a battery capacity of at least 15 kWh) is eligible for up to $5,000. A shorter-range electric vehicle (with a battery capacity of less than 15 kWh) is eligible for up to $2,500.

 

How many vehicles can I purchase?

As an individual, you’re eligible to use this incentive once a year (until funding runs out or the program ends).

 

When does this rebate end?

Currently, the iZEV program is scheduled to end on March 31, 2022. It may end earlier if funding runs out.

 

Applying for your rebate

Here’s another great thing about this rebate: it’s applied at the point of sale. That means you don’t need to wait to be reimbursed; you’ll receive the funding as soon as you purchase the vehicle.

The incentive amount is deducted from the purchase price after taxes and fees are applied. It’s included in the lease agreement of the bill of sale. After you purchase your vehicle, the car dealership will send all the relevant documents to the government to be reimbursed.

 

Which provinces and territories have a rebate program?

By combining the federal rebate with provincial programs, you can save even more on your next EV purchase. Here’s how you can use EV rebates across Canada:

 

Manitoba

Currently, Manitoba does not have a provincial rebate for electric vehicles. However, residents of Manitoba still qualify for the federal iZEV program.

 

British Columbia

If you’re interested in a home charging station, you should look into the British Columbia “Home EV Charger Rebate” program. You can get a rebate of up to $350 for installing a charging station at your residence.

 

Yukon

Do you live in Yukon? With the provincial government’s Clean-Energy Rebate, you can receive a $5,000 rebate for EVs. You can also apply this rebate retroactively to any vehicles purchased after November 14, 2019. Each resident is eligible for 2 rebates as long as the program runs.

 

Prince Edward Island

If you live in this coastal province, then you’re in luck; it offers one of the best rebate programs for zero emission vehicles.

The Electric Vehicle Incentive gives residents of Prince Edward Island up to $5,000 for a new or used EV. You can even combine this incentive program with the government rebate for up to $10,000 of savings, and get a free Level 2 Charging Station (you’ll just need to cover installation costs).

 

Saskatchewan

In SK, you can use the iZEV federal rebate towards your EV purchase. Any resident of Saskatchewan can use this program to receive up to $5,000 off the purchase of a new electric vehicle.

 

Newfoundland & Labrador

With the Electric Vehicle Accelerator incentive, residents of this province can receive $2,500 for an EV purchase; this can be used in conjunction with the iZEV incentive.

 

Ontario

If you’re looking for a used vehicle rather than a brand new one, the Ontario Used EV Incentive will grant you $1,000 for your purchase. And if you want to recycle your former gas car while you’re at it, the Scrappage Incentive will provide you with $1,000. Combine these incentives for up to $2,000 towards your used electric car.

 

Quebec

With Quebec’s New Vehicle Rebate, you can receive up to $8,000 for your next electric vehicle. The MSRP must be less than $60,000 to qualify.

 

New Brunswick

NB’s rebate program can be used for new or used electric cars. With the Plug-In NB rebate, you can receive up to $5,000 for new EVs and $2,500 for used models. By combining both provincial and federal vehicle rebates, you’ll get up to $10,000 towards your purchase.

 

The future of the automobile industry is electric. With provincial and federal rebates, more Canadians are choosing EVs than ever before. Use these incentives to keep the environment (and your wallet) green.

If you have any questions about applying for an electric car rebate in Canada, contact Powertec Solar. We install home EV charging stations in Winnipeg. For more information, call us today.

 

Even though many homeowners are interested in switching to solar, one of the biggest barriers has always been the setup cost. 

This year, Canada has released the Greener Homes Grant. It’s intended to help homeowners fund projects that increase the energy efficiency of their houses.

The goals of this grant are twofold:

• To make energy efficient solutions, like solar, more accessible to homeowners

• To reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and meet climate change commitments

Interested in applying? To qualify, you must provide proof that you own your home. Newly built homes are not eligible for this grant, and only one grant is available per household. 

Although details are still emerging, we’ve assembled everything that we know about the grant so far, and how you can use it to fund your solar installation:

 

What is Included in this Grant?

A total of $5,600 can be reimbursed to Canadians who are successful with their grant application. Of that money, $600 can be used for planning the project with an expert or home evaluator. The evaluator must be an NRCan-registered energy advisor.

The grant is designed to reimburse homeowners after the project has reached completion—you’ll need to pay for and complete the project before you receive the grant money. Be sure to document all your expenses in detail! It may take up to one month to receive the money after the project and the following evaluation are complete. 

A complete list of eligible retrofits is available online. On that list, you’ll find a section with details about how you can fund your solar installation.

 

How Do I Use the Canada Greener Homes Grant for Solar?

If you’ve always wanted to make the switch to solar, now is the time. One of the eligible retrofits for this grant is “Renewable energy”, which covers the installation of photovoltaic solar panels for generating electricity. Homeowners can receive the full $5,000 towards their project, along with an additional $600 for pre and post-evaluations.

To be eligible for this grant, you must first schedule a home evaluation with an energy advisor. There are a few other requirements, which include:

• The PV panels and inverter must meet CSA Standards

• The peak power capacity of the panel must be more or equal to 1.0 kW

• You must purchase the panels and equipment in Canada; if you order online, it must be from a Canadian distributor

Along with the purchase and installation of your PV panels, you can also use a portion of the grant money for resiliency measures. One option is to purchase batteries for your solar panel setup, an expense that the incentive covers up to $1,000 of when combined with another energy efficiency upgrade.

Even though $5,000 won’t cover the entire cost of a solar installation, it gives a starting point for those who’ve been on the fence about solar. The grant makes this eco-friendly upgrade more accessible to homeowners across Canada.

Not only will the Greener Homes Grant cover a portion of your costs, but when you go solar, you’ll enjoy monthly savings on your energy bills. This can offset the costs that aren’t covered by the grant. 

 

An Interest-Free Loan

In addition to the grant, the Canadian government announced that it will also make up to $40,000 available to homeowners for deep home retrofits.

Unlike the grant, this money will not be reimbursed; homeowners will be required to pay it back. However, they won’t need to pay any interest on the loan. Up to 200,000 homeowners can apply for this loan.

This eliminates yet another barrier that prevents homeowners from setting up solar—with an interest-free loan, they can afford the initial cost of setting up a PV system and pay it off over time.

More details are expected to come out about this loan in the next few months.

 

The Canada Greener Homes grant benefits everyone: it helps homeowners afford solar, it makes the planet a greener place, and it helps Canada reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Demand for this grant is high nationwide. So far, it’s estimated that over 30,000 Canadians have applied for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, and up to 700,000 grants are available. The grant is open for applications for the next seven years (or until the maximum number of applicants has been reached). 

If you’re thinking about using this grant to install a solar system, now is your chance. Get in touch with us to learn about how you can set up solar for your home.

Climate change is real. The consequences of climate change are unpredictable, but one thing is for sure - if we keep going down the same track we’re on now, the results will be devastating. Loss of life. Trillions in economic damage. Climate refugees. 

We don’t want to be all doom and gloom, but it’s important to remember that the stakes are very real. We aren’t powerless. By better understanding what a carbon footprint is, how big your carbon footprint is, and how you can reduce it, you can take active steps to slow climate change.

What is a Carbon Footprint?

A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced by an entity in a given amount of time. In the case of an individual or family, your carbon footprint is usually calculated over the course of a year.

Carbon footprints are inherently difficult to calculate because there are so many different activities that can produce GHGs. The name carbon footprint comes from the most commonly produced GHG, carbon dioxide. Other GHGs, like methane, also have a substantial impact on the rate of global warming.

Calculating Your Carbon Footprint

There are some obvious ways in which an individual creates GHG emissions. In Winnipeg, a lot of GHGs come from burning natural gas for heat in the winter, and from driving.

Less obvious sources of GHGs come from the products we consume. Eating meat, especially beef, can promote methane production. Sourcing products internationally instead of locally means longer shipping routes, which leads to GHG emissions. Everything from how often you get small packages delivered from Amazon to how many paper products you use each year can affect the environment.

How can you calculate how big your carbon footprint is with so many variables? It would be a lot of work for an individual to undertake - fortunately, there are online calculators that do a lot of the math for you. The aptly named company, Carbon Footprint, offers a great carbon footprint calculator - just adjust your country and province appropriately, and away you go. (It’s helpful to have utility bills on hand when using this calculator).

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

There are so many ways you can reduce your carbon footprint it would be almost impossible to list them all here. A few things you can focus on:

• Your home. Opt for high-efficiency appliances and fixtures to reduce your footprint - furnaces with an AFUE of 90+ can save you money and help the environment. Get low-flow showerheads. Consider solar panels - we offer Winnipeg solar solutions. Update your home’s insulation. Use smart devices to manage how much electricity you use.
• Your transportation. Consider carpooling (once the pandemic is over), cycling, walking, busing, or other active and alternative means of getting around.
• Consumer products. Buy local. Reduce your meat intake. Shop in-store instead of having things shipped to your home.
• Apollo Energy in Denver suggests reusing products and moving away from disposable kitchenware.

Following these tips can have an important impact on your carbon footprint. You might also consider flying less often, showering for less time, and wearing warm clothes instead of turning up the heat. While one person’s impact might seem small, it’s like voting - when we all do it, change can happen.