The electric vehicle charging component of the Roulez vert subsidy program has changed. It has now been replaced by Écorecharge, a program that is transforming the approach to charging projects in multi-unit residential buildings in Quebec.
In the past, financial assistance was primarily focused on the installation of charging stations.
Today, the program emphasizes a much more fundamental aspect: the preparation of buildings’ electrical infrastructure.
This change paves the way for better-planned, more sustainable projects that are better suited to the realities of multifamily buildings.
The program took effect on March 17, 2026, and will end on March 31, 2028.
Important: A four-month transition period, lasting until July 17, 2026, is in place. This allows projects that began before March 17, 2026 to be completed and eligible under the new guidelines, without having to meet the minimum threshold of 50% of upgraded spaces.
An opportunity for structuring your project early on
With Écorecharge, it’s now possible to approach a charging project in a different way.
Rather than responding to a one-off request (e.g., a resident who wants a charging station), the program encourages:
- assessing the building’s capacity
- developing a comprehensive strategy
- preparing the infrastructure for multiple users
- deploying charging stations gradually, at the right time
This approach helps avoid hasty decisions and repetitive work, while making the most of available financial assistance. It is the approach that Murbly has favored all along.
Important definitions
To fully understand the program, there are certain terms you’ll need to know:
EV capable: infrastructure (conduits, space for circuit breakers, junction boxes, etc.) that allows for the future installation of an electric vehicle charging station.
EV ready: electrical infrastructure (conduits, space for circuit breakers, junction boxes, wiring, etc.) that allows for the installation of an electric vehicle charging station.
EV installed: electrical infrastructure (conduits, space for circuit breakers, junction boxes, wiring, etc.) and a charging station for electric vehicles.
Charging point: a power source capable of charging a single vehicle at a time.
Three types of projects, depending on your situation
The Écorecharge program provides financial assistance at various stages of a charging project.
1. Solution Analysis
If you are just starting to think about your project, this step will help lay a solid foundation.
- Subsidy: 75% of costs (up to $5,000)
An analysis allows you to:
- understand the existing electrical capacity
- identify technical constraints
- compare possible scenarios
This is often where the right decisions are made, especially in a multifamily context.
2. Electrical Infrastructures Upgrade
This is the core of the program—and often the most strategic lever.
- Subsidy: 50% of costs (up to $120,000)
- Requirement: At least 50% of parking spaces must be “EV capable”
The goal is to prepare the building to accommodate multiple charging stations by installing:
- conduits
- the necessary electrical equipment
- energy management solutions
The charging stations can be installed at a later date, depending on residents’ actual needs.
This approach makes it possible to:
- avoid having to redo work every time a new request is made
- better control costs
- structure the project for the years ahead
3. Installation of charging stations
Once the infrastructure is in place, the charging stations can be installed as needed.
- Subsidy: $600 per charging station (or per charging point)
This project can be led by:
- the property manager
- or directly by a co-owner
What’s changing in the way projects are planned
A long-term vision
The program encourages thinking on a building-wide scale.
The requirement to prepare at least 50% of parking spaces encourages a comprehensive approach from the outset.
Less repetitive work
By preparing the infrastructure in advance, it becomes possible to avoid successive interventions as demand increases.
More flexibility in deployment
It is not necessary to install all charging stations immediately.
The infrastructure can be set up first, and then the charging stations added gradually.
Better-structured projects
Applications now require more detail, including:
- the number of “EV capable” spaces
- the number of “EV ready” spaces
This leads to better-documented and better-planned projects.
Compliance with the Electrical Code
Following recent amendments to Chapter V, Electricity, of the Quebec Building Code, buildings with five or more units must now develop a comprehensive plan to comply with these new requirements (see Section 2-104.4).
The good news? The costs of analyzing and planning a multifamily charging project are now covered at 75% (up to $5,000) by the new government program.
At Murbly, we support property managers and syndicates of co-owners through this compliance process with our global feasibility study service.
This service includes:
- Analysis of existing electrical infrastructure
- Request for 36 months of energy consumption data from Hydro-Québec
- A comprehensive analysis report:
- Energy assessment
- Design of charging solutions for residents of the multi-unit building & equipment optimization
- Recommendations for a plan to maximize eligible grants (Écorecharge)
- Diagram of the electrical infrastructure and the proposed solution
- Presentation at the Extraordinary General Meeting (in person or virtually, depending on the region)
Take advantage of this new Murbly service to ensure compliance with the Electrical Code right away!
In summary
The Écorecharge program offers more than just financial assistance: it helps structure a charging project in a coherent, scalable way… and is now compliant with the new requirements of the Building Code.
By taking the time to plan carefully—and focusing on infrastructure—it becomes possible to:
- reduce long-term costs
- simplify future installations
- effectively meet residents’ needs
- ensure the building complies with new electrical requirements