The B.C. government has announced new incentives as part of the Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) program that will help to encourage adoption of clean energy vehicles.
As of April 1, 2015, the CEV program, in partnerships with the New Car Dealers Association of British Columbia, the Fraser Basin Council and the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, will provide B.C. residents with incentives of up to $5,000 for the purchase or lease of a new battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and up to $6,000 for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
When combined with the new SCRAP-IT program incentives for consumers who scrap their 2000 model year or older vehicles and purchase an eligible new electric vehicle, total savings could be as high as $8,250.
“Our members are seeing increasing interest from consumers in purchasing electric vehicles and this program will provide many with the incentive they need to make a purchase,” said Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., in a government release.
Vehicles that are eligible for incentives, along with the maximum point-of-sale incentive amounts, include:
- Battery Electric Vehicle: $5,000
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle: $6,000
- Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle/Extended Range Electric Vehicle with a minimum battery capacity greater than 15 kilowatt hours (kWh): $5,000
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle/Extended Range Electric Vehicle with a minimum battery capacity of less than 15 kWh: $2,500
The government says that point-of-sale incentives will run until March 31, 2018, or until funds are exhausted.
Leased vehicles after April 1, 2015, are also eligible for an incentive, depending on the term of the lease and whether the vehicle is used for personal or fleet purposes.
David Adams, president, Global Automakers of Canada, said in a release: “It is important to us that the government has looked more holistically at a suite of low-emission and zero-emission technologies — which is the same approach automakers are taking to meet the stringent federal greenhouse gas emissions regulations in place now through 2025 that are aligned on a North American basis.”
