TimeToElectrify Inc., dealerships and Tesla can’t offer Canada government’s 25% rebate on level 2 charging stations in Ontario
In June 2019, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, launched the federal Energy Savings Rebate Program to people and businesses across Ontario. This program is starting by the end of this ummer or early fall.
Amongst the Energy Star authorized products, we find level 2 charging stations for electric vehicles. This was good news for Ontario residents who purchase an EV. My Ontario clients will be able to get that 25% rebate on an EVSE.
But …
On August 27 2019, TimeToElectrify Inc. has been denied to participate in the federal government’s 25% rebate program offered for Ontario EV owners as they purchase a level 2 charging station. The official explanation is simple : TimeToElectrify Inc. only sells level 2 charging stations and should sell at least FOUR ITEMS ON THE ENERGY STAR authorized list.
TimeToElectrify Inc. sells level 2 charging stations and electrical accessories. To participate in the program, I would need to also sell three items from this list : washer/dryer, dishwasher, tankless condensing water heater, air purifier, smart thermostat, heat pump, air conditioner, ceiling fan, dehumidifier, refrigerator, freezer and induction stovetop.
Automobile dealerships and Tesla will not be able to provide that 25% rebate on the EVSE they sell to their Ontario clients because they don’t sell Energy Star washers and dryers.
Can someone help me understand who within the federal government had this eccentric idea to include level 2 charging stations for electric vehicles with Energy Star products ?
Who is the civil servant that made this mistake ?
Which politician had this idea but did not do the proper follow-ups ?
Tesla will tell their Ontario clients to go at Home Depot ?
Ontario dealerships will tell their Ontario clients to buy online at Costco ?
Meanwhile, a small business such as TimeToElectrify, which lost more than 90% of its business sales after the ridiculous Ford government’s decision to withdraw from the carbon market will now lose 100% of its sales thanks to the federal government.
I have been selling level 2 charging stations for electric vehicles since 2012. I have offered my help to different Ontario and Canada governments. All I have received from them were smiles that mostly looked like smirks. Now, they ask me to sell a freezer to an … EV owner !
So, beat the system and buy a couple of the fans, etc. to qualify.
Think outside the box. As a retired business person, I would buy the cheapest items listed and keep a few in stock. Then , go ahead and sell the chargers.
Don’t even buy them, offer them at a huge markup and be the middleman for Home Depot.
Want a charging station great, want a washer or dryer, it’s Home Depot price plus a bit.
You can even tell the customer to let them know that it’s cheaper at Home Depot.
No inventory.