British Columbia’s new-car dealers are welcoming the province’s latest adjustments to its zero-emission vehicle rules, calling them a practical response to immediate market pressures. But the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) said the measures still fall short of the structural change needed to restore affordability and give retailers a stable regulatory path.
The provincial update expands eligibility for ZEV credits, opening the door for more models and giving OEMs added flexibility to meet compliance requirements. Range requirements for plug-in hybrids and battery-electric models are also being relaxed. A new ZEV Affordability Program will award additional credits to automakers that cut EV prices, provide zero- or low-interest financing, support home or public charging, or invest in wider charging access.
NCDA President and CEO Blair Qualey said the steps reflect a genuine effort to respond to the pressures faced by both consumers and retailers. “These adjustments will help in the short term, and we appreciate the government’s commitment to taking a more holistic look at ZEV policies in the months ahead,” he said in a statement.
However, he added that the steps may ease immediate pressures, but that they do not go far enough to change the underlying mandates and “their negative consequences to consumers and the dealers that serve them, which still require dealers to meet aggressive federal targets at a time when affordability, supply constraints, and varying levels of consumer readiness remain significant challenges.”
Dealers across the province continue to navigate inconsistent consumer readiness, shifting incentives, and rising ownership costs. Qualey said real progress will depend on the direction set in provincial legislation expected next spring.
“For the province’s upcoming review to truly improve outcomes, B.C. must bring provincial and federal approaches into alignment,” he said. “A single, predictable framework — one that reflects real-world market conditions, is essential. And for that framework to be effective, affordability must be front and centre, including restoring meaningful EV rebate support for consumers.”
The NCDA says it will continue working with the government to shape a ZEV strategy that supports climate goals while ensuring retail operations remain viable and consumer choice remains broad.
“Our shared goal is a balanced approach that improves affordability, expands consumer choice, and ensures long-term success for BC’s new-car sector,” said Qualey.
