The province is putting the brakes on an electric vehicle rebate program that allowed British Columbians the opportunity to save thousands of dollars on select new-car purchases, depending on their individual income.
The funding for B.C.’s Go Electric Passenger Vehicle rebate runs through May 15, after which the province says it will pause the program to “consider next steps.”
Provincial officials are taking into account the progress made to date, as well as the end of the federal government’s EV rebate, which was paused in January.
“People can still purchase or lease an electric vehicle by May 15 and receive a rebate through the Go Electric program,” reads a news release Tuesday.
Story continues below
The B.C. rebate, first announced in November 2011, was “intended to support the adoption of ZEVs (zero emission vehicles) via providing point of purchase rebates for private and fleet ZEV purchases,” according to the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA), which administers the CleanBC program.
B.C. residents who buy or lease qualifying new vehicles are eligible for up to $4,000 off the final price for battery electric and long-range plug-in hybrids, or $2,000 off plug-in hybrids with a range of less than 85 kilometres.
To qualify, an income of no more than $100,000 is required.
Story continues below
The program pause follows a newly published ZEV update 2024 report, which found that B.C. “has been the leader in adoption of zero-emission vehicles for more than a decade,” according to the provincial government in the release today.
“Since 2011, the province has invested more than $650 million to support people in B.C. in making the switch to cleaner transportation. That commitment has paid off as there are nearly 195,000 ZEVs on B.C. roads, up from just 5,000 in 2016.”
Go Electric was designed to make ZEVs more affordable for British Columbians while also meeting mandated sales targets, the NCDA says, adding that the B.C. program has supported the addition of more than 90,000 such vehicles on local roads.
It aimed to support the CleanBC goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Story continues below
Officials say the province is home to one of Canada’s largest public charging networks, with more than 7,000 stations in place, including B.C.’s Electric Highway, allowing people “to travel throughout the province with confidence.”
READ ALSO: B.C. ends sales tax exemption for used zero-emission vehicles next week
Additionally, earlier this year, it was announced that B.C.’s provincial sales tax (PST) exemption for used ZEVs would soon come to an end, and car buyers told CHEK News they were making quick purchases before costs increase.
This exemption, originally set to end in 2027, is now being phased out on May 1 – a move the Finance Ministry said would help find savings within B.C.’s 2025 budget announcement, which had a record-breaking $10.9 billion deficit.
“During this time of economic instability, the province is reviewing programs to ensure that they best meet the needs of people in B.C.,” the province said Tuesday.
It says it’s committed to collaborating with automakers and dealers to identify the most effective ways to continue supporting ZEV adoption throughout British Columbia.
“This work will form part of a broader comprehensive review of CleanBC programs, details of which will be announced soon,” the province added in the release.
link