For Immediate Release
June 22, 2019
VICTORIA
With British Columbians eager to get behind the wheel of a clean energy vehicle (CEV), the government is releasing another $26.5 million and making changes to its popular CEVforBC rebate program to meet ongoing demand.
“With federal and provincial rebates now in place, switching to an electric vehicle is more affordable than ever”, said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Part of our CleanBC plan, the CEVforBC program has been a resounding success.
The changes we are making today will ensure it remains accessible and supports even more British Columbians in getting their first clean energy vehicle. Budget 2019 committed $42.5 million toward the CEVforBC rebate program for this fiscal year, with $15 million having been released. The changes made include lowering the maximum price eligibility threshold to $55,000 – ensuring the program supports the most affordable vehicles.
On May 1, 2019, the federal government implemented a $5,000 CEV rebate in addition to any provincial rebates in the market, which resulted in unprecedented CEV sales across the province. The provincial rebate will be reduced to $3,000 for battery, fuel-cell, and longer range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and to $1,500 for shorter-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, effective June 22, 2019. Vehicles purchased or reserved prior to that date will be
covered by the prior program incentives and rules.
CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. CleanBC was developed in collaboration with the BC Green Party caucus and supports the commitment in the Confidence and Supply Agreement to implement climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets.
Learn More:
Electric vehicles available in B.C.: https://pluginbc.ca/wp/wpcontent/uploads/2019/05/Electric-Car-Handout_190523.pdf
CEVforBC vehicle point-of-sale incentive program: https://www.cevforbc.ca/
More information about the CleanBC plan: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/
Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect
Kent Karemaker
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum
Resources
250 952-0628
– The Zero-Emission Vehicle Act (ZEVA) passed on May 30, 2019, requiring all new lightduty
cars and trucks sold in B.C. to be clean energy vehicles by 2040.
– Targets under CleanBC and ZEVA are that CEV sales will increase starting in 2020,
reaching 10% of light-duty sales by 2025, 30% by 2030, and 100% by 2040.
– There are approximately 44 CEV models available for sale in B.C., most of them priced in
the $30,000 to $50,000 range, before incentives.
– CEVs made up 4% of new light-duty vehicle sales in B.C. in 2018 and were approximately
6% in the first quarter of 2019.
– There are currently more than 20,000 electric cars on the road, and the CEVforBC
program will support an estimated 17,000 more.
– Prices for CEVs start at approximately $29,000, before incentives.
– B.C. has more than 1,700 charging stations around the province.
– The combined federal and provincial incentives have led to high levels of program participation, two to three times higher than in 2018.
– The reduced vehicle price cap and lower incentives will allow more British Columbians to
access CEVs as the market transforms.
– CEVs and internal combustion engine light duty vehicles (cars, sport utility vehicles, and
pick-up trucks) are expected to achieve price parity between 2024-2028.
