EV Adoption Success in BC
For Immediate release
Vancouver, BC – British Columbia’s leadership role in electric vehicle (EV) sales is the result of a positive partnership between new car dealers and the province – one that has collectively encouraged and supported the increasing adoption of EVs among consumers.
Government has issued a news release, celebrating the fact that there are now 30,000 EVs on BC roadways. That milestone comes only days after a study by Electric Mobility Canada confirmed 10 per cent of all passenger vehicles sold in the province are zero emission automobiles.
“A decade ago, the notion of EV sales making a dent in British Columbia’s new car market was viewed by many as a just that – a notion,” said Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. “The strategy we have collectively adopted is to motivate consumers with a carrots, not sticks approach, based on the premise that people will respond to incentives, especially when they also know they are achieving an environmental objective.”
The focal point of the partnership is the CEVforBC™ Program which provides a point of sale purchase incentive on new clean energy vehicles – and is successfully administered by the NCDA and its members. In 2018, more than 8,500 transactions occurred through the Program, a number that will be far surpassed when final 2019 sales figures are calculated.
Through CEVforBC™, the NCDA has also created competition between dealerships across the province to determine who can reach the highest level of sales of clean energy vehicles, across all brands. Recipients of the prestigious CEVforBC™ Green Star Dealer Awards® are honoured at the annual Vancouver International Auto Show, where the latest EV technology is show-cased, and visitors are also provided the opportunity to test drive and learn more about this growing consumer option.
Ongoing collaboration has also helped influence policy decisions by government to create expanded access to charging infrastructure and contributed to ongoing education and public awareness of EV technology for consumers.
“Over time, this partnership has produced results that are substantial and tangible, making B.C. a leader in EV adoption and the envy of many jurisdictions. Perhaps, most importantly, it lays the foundation for accelerated clean energy vehicle adoption for future generations,” concluded Qualey.
About the New Car Dealers Association of BC: The NCDA is the provincial industry association that represents more than 390 new car and truck dealers throughout British Columbia. Members of the Association provide over 30,000 family supporting jobs for British Columbians and are responsible for over $16 Billion of retail sales in the province. The Association speaks on behalf of the retail new automotive industry to the public, media, and government, and deals primarily with the legal, environmental, and consumer issues relating to vehicle sales in BC. The NCDA owns and manages the Vancouver International Auto Show, this year’s 100th anniversary event will run from March 25-29, at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.
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Contact:
Shona Wercholuk
604-805-4821
[email protected]
