The province is improving accessibility to electric vehicles (EVs) by increasing maximum rebate amounts and ensuring they go to the people who need them most.
“More and more people in British Columbia are looking to get an electric vehicle to save money on gas and reduce their carbon footprint,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “We’re improving our rebate program to make electric vehicles more affordable and accessible to more families.”
The maximum provincial rebate under the CleanBC Go Passenger Electric Vehicle Rebate Program on the purchase or lease of a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle long-range electric vehicle (PHEV) is increased from $3,000 to $4,000. The maximum rebate for low-end PHEVs increases from $1,500 to $2,000.
“We’re helping to make electric vehicles more affordable for more people in communities across the province,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “British Columbia is a leader in electric vehicle adoption, thanks to CleanBC, and we’re expanding access so even more people can choose clean technologies that help avoid high gas prices, lower maintenance costs and reduce pollution climate”.
To ensure electric vehicle rebates are available to the individuals and families who need them most, eligibility for a rebate will be based on individual or household income levels:
- Individuals with annual incomes up to $80,000 (family income up to $125,000) will be eligible for maximum rebate amounts of $2,000 for low-end PHEVs or $4,000 for BEVs, FCEVs and PHEVs.
- Individuals with annual incomes between $80,001 and $100,000 (family incomes between $125,001 and $165,000) will be eligible for discounts ranging from $500 to $2,000, depending on income level and the type of vehicle selected.
- Individuals with annual incomes above $100,000 (family income above $165,000) will not be eligible for provincial electric vehicle rebates.
According to 2020 income tax returns, more than 90% of British Columbians are eligible for the provincial EV rebate. When combined with federal rebates, British Columbians can save up to $9,000 on the purchase or lease of a new electric vehicle.
“British Columbia has achieved a leadership position in zero-emission vehicle sales in North America due to the thoughtful approach of the government and partner agencies, which has included rebates that make ownership as affordable as possible” , said Blair Qualey, president and CEO of New. BC Automobile Dealers Association. “The latest changes go a step further and ensure that those at the lower end of the income spectrum have greater ability to purchase a clean energy vehicle, and this is good news for the sector , for the government and, above all, for the environment.”.
The province is also expanding the types of electric vehicles eligible for rebates. The price limit for determining eligibility for vehicle rebates remains a maximum of $55,000 for compact and full-size cars. However, to support families and businesses that need larger electric vehicles, a second category has been added. For the largest electric vehicles to come to market, including minivans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, the cap has been set at a maximum retail price of $70,000.
This year, BC made electric vehicles exempt from provincial sales tax, making purchasing an electric vehicle more affordable and offering more options.
CleanBC’s Go Electric EV Charger Rebate program offers provincial rebates that can cover up to 50% of eligible purchase and installation costs for electric vehicle charging stations for single-family homes, condos, apartments and workplaces.
Quick Facts:
- People who typically drive about 15,000 kilometers a year can save roughly $2,000 a year in fuel costs by making the switch to an electric vehicle.
- British Columbia has seen substantial growth in electric vehicle adoption, from 5,000 light-duty electric vehicles registered in BC in 2016 to over 85,000 today.
- In the first quarter of 2022, electric vehicles accounted for 17% of new light passenger vehicles sold in BC, the highest electric vehicle adoption rate in North America.
- In the past five years, the CleanBC Go electric vehicle rebate program has helped more than 54,000 people in the province switch to a clean energy electric vehicle.
- In 2021, 18,533 electric vehicle rebates were issued.
- The province continues to make investments to expand the public electric vehicle charging network across British Columbia, and by the end of 2021 there were more than 3,100 public charging stations in BC, compared to 781 in 2016.
Learn more:
For full details on the revised CleanBC Go Passenger Electric Vehicle Rebate Program, including eligibility criteria and rebate amounts, and to apply for a rebate online, visit the new CleanBC Go webpage Electric at: https://goelectricbc.gov.bc.ca
For more information and tools to help you go electric on the road, visit BC Hydro’s electric vehicle website at: