Frequently Asked Questions

RVE stands for Recharge Vehicule Electrique, which translates to Electric Vehicle Charging, and this is what we facilitate. We do not sell chargers but we make it possible for those who have limitations due to building infrastructure or electrical capacity to use their chargers with no additional impact to a home’s existing condition.

RVE offers solutions to any individual or group encountering an obstacle when implementing charging in their home. The RVE solution typically involves guidance in the form of analysis of the different obstacles (in terms of electricity, construction, and policy), and recommendations of our own in-house technologies and expertise.

An internal RVE team handles relationships and contracts with stakeholders in the electrical industry, be it electrical product distributors, electricians, electrical engineers, or real estate developers looking to prepare their new or existing buildings to be EV ready.

RVE’s sister brand, Murbly, handles projects in the retrofit sector, be it developers, condo board representatives, or owners of condo units and multi-unit homes. RVE’s products, DCC, SMP+ and HUB, are developed by an internal team of electrical engineers and electricians who handle research and development.

RVE’s products, the DCC by RVE, were developed in Quebec and are manufactured by a Quebec owned company, Thermolec Ltd. RVE has formed partnerships in the electrical industry, with Lumen, Westburne, Gescan, Qmerit, FLO, and a growing group of others; in the utilities, government and policy sector with Hydro Quebec, National Resources Canada (NRCan), AVEQ, Electro Federation Canada (EFC), Electricity Canada, Electric Mobility Canada (EMC), Propulsion Quebec and Deloitte; and the real estate and development sector with RGCQ, CMEQ,and a growing number of partnerships between RVE and property development firms across Quebec and British Columbia.

An electric vehicle charger, like all other electrical products with batteries, is the equipment that connects an electric current to the device that needs a charger, the electric vehicle. Electric vehicle charging stations are stationary and can be found publicly for pay (ex. at a service station), or in your parking space at home.

While some electric vehicle chargers have features that can determine how much power is being drawn by a vehicle and the stress this puts on a home’s infrastructure, not all chargers will communicate this information between each other, and many chargers will not be able to regulate power distribution efficiently. An electric vehicle energy management system, often located within the electric infrastructure itself, will only power EV chargers when there is capacity (available power) that can be distributed to the EV. In many homes, both an electric vehicle energy management system is required alongside electric vehicle chargers.

RVE offers energy management systems for all kinds of properties: condos, multi-unit buildings, single-family homes, and townhouses. Each of these building’s structures will have a different layout (i.e. different electric infrastructure), and will therefore need to be treated as unique. In response, RVE created products for each unique context; DCCs are charge controllers designed for homes with accessible electricity meters; SMP+s are smart panels, ideal for situations where charging stations must be powered by a shared infrastructure; and the HUB is an energy management system that enables multi-level load shedding.

In Canada, RVE products can be purchased from distributors of electrical equipment.

Please contact sales@rve.ca for further information.

Yes. However, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure the compatibility of all the charger’s functionalities with the RVE products’ load shedding via power interruption.

In Canada and the United States, between 50% and 70% of single-family and multi-family residences do not have sufficient capacity to power multiple electric vehicle charging stations alongside existing energy needs. As vehicles move away from being gas-powered towards being electric-run, homes will need to be outfitted with the correct infrastructure to support this change. It is becoming the standard that homes are charged at home and only “topped off” at work or when on the road.

An electric meter is most often located in an electric closet or room at the basement or lower level of a building. However, an electric meter may also sometimes be placed in a penthouse or on the roof, which we refer to as an inaccessible metering situation. For a more detailed explanation, refer to the Murbly section of the FAQ.

An energy management system needs to be installed closest to the power source which is most often located on the ground floor of a property, indoors or outdoors. Installation will involve changes to electrical infrastructure, and as such, should only be carried out by a qualified electrician, preferably one that is certified to use electric vehicle supply equipment or EVEMS. An RVE representative would be able to guide you towards finding one.

Full or 100% EV readiness means that all units with parking spaces have the potential to have enough power supplied to them to charge electric cars. It does not mean that all parking spaces must have electric vehicle chargers installed at them. We offer a product that prepares the infrastructure for 100% EV readiness, the DCC-BOX by RVE, that can be readied at the same moment a homeowner would like to install an EV charger at home, both ensuring that the space has electric power and electrical capacity.

Canada intends to minimize and then completely stop the sale of gas and combustion powered vehicles starting in 2035. As of 2035, the transportation industry will need to make strides towards the democratization and securing of electric energy. RVE intends to prepare homes for this change well before the change arrives.

In Quebec, the Écorecharge program is in effect.

Searching your province and the terms “electric vehicle”, “EV ready” and/or “rebate” will give you results relating to how your province is developing to become EV friendly. Or visit the following source: https://www.caa.ca/sustainability/electric-vehicles/government-incentives/

Full or 100% EV readiness for a province means that all individuals have access to stable and available energy to power transportation with minimal impact to the utility grid.

Charging can take place on three levels, each relating to a different speed and configuration. Level 1 charging is the slowest, level 2 charging is faster and the standard for at home charging, and level 3 (or fast charge) is the fastest but only available in the form of public charging.

To read up on these types, visit: https://www.hydroquebec.com/transportation-electrification/electric-vehicles/charging.html

The set up in each building is unique, changing depending on the type of home lived in and where the components are installed in the home. Single-family homes typically have an electrical service panel with breakers and an electric meter, both located relatively near the parking space where the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) or EV charger will need to be installed.

The configuration for a multi-unit residential building (MURB) or condo might have the service panels and electric meters located much further apart, and they can also sometimes be located at a great distance from the parking spaces. No matter the home and configuration, the service panels will need to have a dedicated breaker and the electrical capacity to charge as many electric vehicle chargers as required. In cases where components are inaccessible, or when service panels are at capacity, a cost efficient solution might be an electric vehicle energy management system or EVEMS. Always contact a qualified electrician or electrical contractor when making any changes to the electrical infrastructure in your home.

To read further, visit: https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/charge/choosing-a-home-EV-charger

The energy load refers to how much current is being demanded by users of electrical equipment at any given point. One would easily and rightly suspect that charging an electric vehicle poses a demand or adds a load to the electrical capacity of a building comparable to that of a large appliance, such as an oven or a hot tub. The barrier of powering many electric vehicles at once, or powering even a single electric car on infrastructure that is close to capacity, can be solved by using an EVEMS or what is sometimes called a load management system, load shedder, or a demand charge controller in the electric industry. The EVEMS will account for and control the loads automatically, without adding any additional load to the circuit, and without significantly affecting the speed of charging.

To read about EVEMS in detail, visit: https://www.csagroup.org/article/research/electric-vehicle-energy-management-systems/

The two most common alternatives to EVEMS are upgrading electrical infrastructure (which can be costly), or in the case of a MURB or condo, sharing a charger between EV owners (which can be inconvenient and might require additional management and time-blocking).

This means that the charger is not powered. The total charge is less than 80% and the recovery time is in progress. Each flash corresponds to two minutes before the power supply to the charger is restored. Example: 3 flashes = 6 minutes before power is supplied. During this period, if the total charge exceeds 80%, the recovery time will be reset to zero.

Most of the time (95%), it is due to an incorrect configuration of the DIP switches. Be sure to follow the proper installation diagram (see installation manual). A very small part of the time (5%), it means that one of the DCC components is defective.

No, although they are designed for electric vehicle charging, all DCCs work for any other type of load. However, it is the electrician’s responsibility to ensure that alternative use is safe and complies with the electrical code.

Learn more or consult the manufacturer product attestation

DCC is compliant with the Canadian Electrical Code and the National Electric Code (NEC) 70-619 Article 750.

Certifications: UL Listed, CSA (CAN/USA C22.2 14-13 UL 508, 17th Ed.), ULC-ORD-C 3141:2025.

Local inspectors may not always be familiar with the DCC. It is recommend to share DCC specifications with inspectors, prior to purchase, for familiarization and approval.

Electrical panel upgrades in a condo or apartment are rare because the energy capacity of the entire building needs to be accounted for; upgrading even just one might affect available capacity for the whole building. This is why the DCC-9 is a great fit for dwellings where electrical panels are limited to 100 amps of energy and yet still need 40 to 60 available amps to charge an electric vehicle. But in the case of a penthouse or larger unit where an electrical panel is sized at 150 or 200 amps and there is not enough capacity, the DCC-11 is specially constructed to handle the extra power.

Future proof is the idea that a product will not need to be replaced in the near future and that it can adapt with technological changes. The DCC offers a future proof installation in two ways: 

1. The technology within the DCC (the DCC-PCB) can be easily replaced as technology upgrades and advances. In fact, current DCCs can be upgraded to the next generation to enable compatibility with the HUB.
2. The DCC-BOX format provides the opportunity to install base infrastructure (to reserve space in a home or electrical room) ahead of a future EVSE installation (only when an EV is purchased). With the DCC-BOX already installed, a homeowner only needs to purchase and have the DCC-PCB technology installed at the same time as the EVSE installation. This cuts the cost and total time for the installation in two! It also truly prepares a building to be EV Ready ahead of needing EVSE in each parking space.

NEMA 3R is a rating indicating that a product is safe to use in outdoor applications. This certifies that the DCC-12 enclosure (box) protects wiring and components against weather and exposure to water. 

Having only one NEMA rating for the DCC-12 lowers manufacturing costs, giving the consumer additional benefits and versatility without any additional costs.

DCC is available in the United States and in Canada.

Unlike the DCC, the DCC+ can be connected to the HUB for multi-level energy management. It is essentially the electronic board inside that changes from one model to another (for second and third generation DCCs).

Absolutely! All you need to do is upgrade the internal components; there is no need to replace the entire unit. See the upgrade steps in the following guide: DCC Upgrade Guide

Yes, DCC+ can be installed without a HUB being installed in the building. They will then be configured in Individual mode and will function like regular DCCs, while being ready for potential HUB installation at a later date.

The panel owner must be registered with Measurement Canada as an authorized service provider if he wishes to bill electricity consumed per kWh.
Read our blog post on the subject: Billing EV charging by the kWh: legal or illegal? or visit the Measurement Canada website for more details.

Yes. The SMP+ is specifically designed to manage Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) power flow to optimize existing electrical assets and maintain operational power limits.

Up to 21 EVSE can be powered by one (1) SMP+. SMP+ sharing a common power source can be paired together.

The SMP+ is compatible with all brands of Level 2 EVSE: 208/240VAC, maximum 32A.
For EVSE up to 48A, please contact us.

The distribution of electricity between charging stations is managed dynamically and intelligently in real time, according to the needs of each electric vehicle. To ensure an even more equitable distribution of available energy, the SMP+ algorithm’s load shedding logic takes the following key factors into account:

• The charging time for each station
• The amount of energy already allocated to each charging session

This approach allows for a fairer distribution among users, even in times of high demand.

In addition, the SMP+ integrates three-phase balancing into the load shedding sequence, which helps to limit the strain on transformers during periods of high demand and thus extend the life of the electrical infrastructure.

Yes, the SMP+ can be installed outside the electrical room when space is limited.

No, that’s not necessary. The HUB monitors and controls the energy consumption of several components of the electrical infrastructure. If the HUB is installed in Monitoring and Control mode, the capacity study is not required.

If the HUB is installed in Monitoring mode, it can be used to carry out an energy capacity study. To determine whether a building has the capacity to supply all the charging stations needed to electrify its parking spaces, a load calculation must be carried out on the building’s existing electrical infrastructure. To perform this load calculation, different types of data can be used: theoretical data and real data. Real consumption data can be obtained by installing metering devices on a building’s electrical components, such as the HUB.

The HUB is designed to be installed at the level of the electrical infrastructure only. It can eventually be integrated with a BMS, providing it with information on the electrical infrastructure so that it can act on it. 

The HUB’s compatibility with electricity suppliers’ power demand programs varies from region to region. For Quebec and British Columbia, this option will be available in 2025. For other provinces, this option will be available in 2026.

This option will be made available via a software upgrade.

Upgrading the main service and/or the electrical transformers to obtain greater electrical capacity is very costly; avoiding this replacement with the HUB offers major cost savings. Installing the HUB is quick and easy.

Generally speaking, energy management solutions are less expensive and less complex to deploy than replacing the main service. What’s more, the HUB reduces the cost of electricity by being compatible with power demand programs offered by electricity suppliers.

The HUB can be installed to monitor the electrical infrastructure and thus determine how many electric vehicle charging stations can be installed on the infrastructure. 

The HUB can also be installed to monitor and control the power consumption of the electrical infrastructure when it is already at full capacity. 

By collecting consumption data from the building in which it is installed, the HUB can establish optimized charging profiles based on the real needs of the building’s residents.

No. Should connectivity not be possible, or should it be interrupted (network or computer failure), all the HUB’s local security and power management functions will operate normally and without problem.

However, the HUB must be connected to the Internet to access software updates, remote technical support and advanced power management functions such as Demand Response (DR).

To operate in Monitoring and Control mode, the HUB must be coupled to DCC+. If the DCCs already installed are 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation, they can be upgraded to DCC+ by replacing only the PCB electronic component inside. Find detailed steps in the Guide to upgrading DCC.

Yes, the SMP+ can be installed outside the electrical room when space is limited.

The Connect portal is a centralized digital platform that provides complete, real-time visualization of the operation of an RVE Electric Vehicle Energy Management System (EVEMS). It simplifies the supervision of equipment (HUB, DCC+, SMP+), optimizes the monitoring and billing of each resident’s exact electricity consumption, and enables centralized and efficient control of charging, minimizing the management time for condo associations and property managers.

The Connect portal is designed for condo associations and managers of buildings where RVE connected products are installed (HUB, DCC+, and SMP+) to simplify equipment supervision, optimize energy consumption monitoring and billing, and enable centralized and efficient charging control.

Yes, electricians working in a building with connected products can be granted access to the portal by the condo association or property manager in order to simplify remote monitoring and reduce unnecessary site visits.

The Connect portal provides visibility only for connected RVE products (HUB, DCC+, and SMP+). It is not available with the installation of non-connected DCCs.

The RVE Connect Standard portal comes free of charge with the purchased of a HUB or SMP+, and the Premium portal is included free of charge for one (1) year with any RVE product purchase, and then offered at a building- and charger-based pricing model. Contact our sales team for more information at sales@rve.ca.

Murbly, a play on Multi-Unit Residential Building, is an educational platform that was developed to respond to insights made as RVE grew within the retrofit sector. RVE co-founder Marie-Pier Corbeil was in a position to observe the way apartments, and condos, stratas, and their respective boards operated, noting the precise knowledge and needs that an EV charging project required. In response she assembled a team to construct Murbly to provide free information and resources intending to help those in this sector more easily overcome the barriers involved in multi-unit residential building EV charger projects.

To view Murbly’s content, visit https://murbly.com/en/

Murbly offers a free consultation service to help co-owners, property managers, and condominium associations get their condo charging project off to a good start. To schedule an appointment, click here: https://murbly.com/en/free-consultation/

Murbly also offers an EV-Ready Planning service, designed to assist condo communities with the mandatory comprehensive planning required by Quebec’s new electrical code for buildings with five or more units.

The templates that Murbly provides were created to help unit owners, managing boards or HOA’s, and property managers determine the interest in EV charging at a property, to present the subject at a general assembly, to loosely help organize and phrase a policy, and aid in other documentation that may come up throughout the stages of an EV charging project.

To view the collection of templates, visit https://murbly.com/en/resources/

Before viewing the case studies, it is recommended that the difference between an accessible and inaccessible metering context is understood and this can be learned through the videos provided above. After viewing Murbly’s video content, it will be much easier to use the tagging system in order to identify what type of building you live in and whether it is most similar to the completed projects listed.

To access the case studies, visit https://murbly.com/en/case-studies/

The EV Ready Plan for Multi Unit Residential Buildings document is adapted by province and aims to walk the reader through each step within the EV charging project process. The intention is that at the end of reading the document, the reader will be able to create an EV Ready Plan for their building using the printable version of the guide also included.

To receive a copy, visit https://murbly.com/en/guides-canada/