The transportation sector accounts for 25% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Canada generates approximately 82% of its electricity from zero emission power sources. Shifting vehicles away from fossil fuel engines, towards zero emission alternatives, presents an opportunity for significant greenhouse gas emission reductions.

To bridge this gap, the $2.75 billion Zero Emission Transit Fund offers support to public transit and school bus operators across Canada who are electrifying their fleets. The Zero Emission Transit Fund also delivers on the federal government’s commitment to help purchase 5,000 zero emission buses over the next five years. This investment is being made in coordination with the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s commitment to invest $1.5 billion in zero emission buses as part of its three-year Growth Plan.

There are two types of projects funded under the Zero Emission Transit Fund:

• Planning and Design Projects: Eligible projects include studies, modelling and feasibility analysis that will support the development of future larger scale capital projects.
• Capital Projects: Eligible capital projects include buses, charging and refueling infrastructure, and other ancillary infrastructure needs.

Who can apply?

Eligible recipients under the Zero Emission Transit Fund include provinces and territories; municipal or regional governments; transit agencies; public bodies (e.g., school boards);  private-sector school bus operators; and private accessible transit transportation providers (e.g., paratransit services).

Interested applicants are invited to apply to the Zero Emission Transit Fund by creating an account on the Applicant Portal.

How will Infrastructure Canada select projects for funding?

Infrastructure Canada will review submitted applications, and applicants will be selected based on their eligibility as well as the assessment against the merit criteria established for the Zero Emission Transit Fund. Further details are provided within the Applicant Guide.

Application Stages

Stage I

If you are an eligible applicant, you are invited to download and complete the Expression of Interest form available on the Applicant Portal, and send it along with other supporting documents by e-mail to zetf-ftcze@infc.gc.ca. A step-by-step guide to aid in completing the Expression of Interest Form can be found here. After reviewing the Expression of Interest, Infrastructure Canada will assess the project’s eligibility under the Zero Emission Transit Fund and direct the applicant toward the appropriate project stream to Stage II. Concurrently, the Canada Infrastructure Bank will also review the Expression of Interest to identify potential opportunities for financing.

Applications are currently being accepted and there is no deadline for submitting the Expression of Interest forms.

Stage II

Applicants from Stage I will be granted access to the funding application forms and will be invited to submit a full application to the appropriate project stream(s): Planning and Design Projects or Capital Projects.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling, ongoing basis until funding available has been fully allocated.

Further information and instructions on how to apply through Infrastructure Canada’s online and accessible application portal will be available soon.