Is an EV Ready Plan Required in BC?

Is an EV Ready Plan legally mandatory?

Unlike the Electrical Planning Report (EPR), which is legally mandated for many BC strata corporations with 5 or more lots by specific deadlines, the EV Ready Plan (EVRP) is an optional planning document. You are not breaking strata law by not having one.

When an EV Ready Plan is required for rebates

While not legally required, an EV Ready Plan is practically required if you want funding. To apply for the lucrative EV Ready Infrastructure Rebate (up to $120,000 per building), BC Hydro requires an approved EV Ready Plan first.

Additionally, starting July 15, 2026, even standalone charger rebate applications will require an Opportunity Assessment, an EPR, or an EV Ready Plan.

EV Ready Plan vs EPR

When a strata should get an EV Ready Plan anyway

Even if you don't care about rebates, an EV Ready Plan makes strategic sense. If owners are asking for chargers, approving them without a building-wide plan is dangerous. The first few owners get chargers, use up the remaining electrical capacity, and later owners are told they must pay for a massive, expensive service upgrade.

What happens if owners want chargers but the building has no plan

Under BC law, strata councils cannot unreasonably refuse an owner's request to install an EV charger. If you don't have a plan detailing how to manage capacity, you may be forced to approve requests until the system is overloaded, or face legal challenges for refusing requests without technical justification. An EV Ready Plan provides that technical framework.

Confused about what your building needs?

We can help you decide between an EPR, an EV Ready Plan, or both.

Frequently asked questions about whether EVRP is required