EVwire brief: Natural Resources Canada has issued a new call for proposals offering up to $1.5 million in funding to support electric vehicle test drives and charging education projects in 2026 and 2027. The initiative aims to address key barriers to EV adoption by improving hands-on experience, awareness, and education for consumers, businesses, and public-sector decision-makers. To increase EV adoption it takes butts in seats!
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has launched a new request for proposals (RFP) designed to expand electric vehicle education and hands-on exposure across the country. The program, titled Education and Awareness Project Funding – Electric Vehicle Test Drives and Charging Education, seeks projects that address what NRCan describes as “key barriers” to the mass adoption of electric vehicles in Canada.
The initiative will provide funding for projects focused on electric vehicle ownership and operation, charging, and charging infrastructure, with the goal of improving understanding and confidence among Canadians. The deadline to submit proposals is February 19, and approximately $1.5 million has been allocated for this round of funding.
Under the program, NRCan contributions are capped at $100,000 for for-profit organizations and $200,000 for not-for-profit organizations.
The funding program is divided into two primary focus areas.
The first area, EV test drives and experiential charging education, supports projects that provide direct, physical interaction with electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. These projects are intended for general consumers and commercial drivers, offering hands-on experience to help reduce uncertainty around EV operation and charging.
The second area, resources and education for enablers, targets audiences that play a key role in enabling EV adoption. This includes corporate decision-makers, large employers, fleet managers, municipal planners and governments, EV salespeople, utilities, schoolteachers, and first responders.
All funded projects must either serve Canada nationally or focus on underserved regions, including the Territories, Prairie provinces, Atlantic Canada, rural communities, and marginalized or racialized urban populations.
NRCan outlines several examples of eligible project types, including:
EV test-drive events and mobile showcases
Interactive educational activities for policymakers related to EV purchasing and permitting
Outreach and education campaigns focused on EVs and charging infrastructure
However, the program also includes clear limitations. Projects focused solely on technician training, online-only initiatives for the general public, or vehicle-related projects without a charging education component will not be considered for funding.
According to Thierry Spiess, Deputy Director of On-Road Transportation Programs at NRCan, the initiative builds on long-standing federal efforts to increase EV adoption rather than representing a policy shift.
Successful projects are expected to begin in the spring and must conclude no later than September 30, 2027. All NRCan funding must be fully expended by March 31, 2027.
Additional details and application materials are available through the NRCan website.
