Payment options for off-site charging

In order for ZEVs to be operationally feasible, it will be necessary for the GoC to deploy electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) across its real property portfolio. Additionally, it will be essential for fleet operators to be able to leverage public EVSE in the event that depot charging is unfeasible or inadequate such as during long distance trips, emergency situations, or for otherwise energy-intensive duty cycles.

Currently, the GoC uses a Government of Canada Fleet Card (GCFC) as its main procurement instrument to purchase goods and services for the daily operation of its fleet, including fuel for its internal combustion engine vehicles. These cards work similarly to a credit card and are accepted at most gas and service stations across Canada. However, the GCFC cannot be used for charging event transactions as no industry standard exists in Canada for fuel acquisition card compatibility with the major public charging station and network providers. Consequently, the GoC has yet to adopt a turnkey solution at the federal level for public charging event transactions, tracking, and reporting. While provisional solutions exist at the departmental level, such as centralized commercial accounts with specific EVSE network providers, a fleet-wide approach to facilitate public charging event payments at scale will be instrumental as the GoC approaches its 2030 target.