Do You Need Pre-Approval Before Buying Chargers or Starting Work?
Yes — in most apartment and condo EV rebate situations, pre-approval comes first. BC Hydro says apartment/condo EV charging rebates require pre-approval before proceeding with required electrical work or charger purchasing. The key exception is the EV Ready Plan-only rebate.
Why this matters
This is where a lot of buildings make an expensive mistake. They:
- start collecting install quotes
- move toward equipment
- or begin electrical work
before confirming whether pre-approval is required for the rebate stage they want. That can put the funding path at risk or force the building to reset the process.
Which stages generally require pre-approval?
For apartment/condo EV charging rebates, BC Hydro’s application flow says pre-approval is required before electrical work or charger purchases, except for the EV Ready Plan-only path. That makes the planning stage especially important if the building is trying to move quickly but still protect eligibility.
The EV Ready Plan exception
The EV Ready Plan-only rebate is the main exception to the pre-approval rule. That is one reason it is often the smartest place for a building to begin if the project is still unclear.
What your building should do before spending money
Before the building spends on chargers or electrical work, it should confirm:
- which rebate stage it is actually pursuing
- whether pre-approval applies
- whether it needs an EPR, EV Ready Plan, or another accepted planning document first
- whether the current funding rules still match the project scope
Frequently Asked Questions
Before your building buys equipment or starts work
Make sure you are not stepping into the wrong rebate stage.
Get Help Before You Start the Work