For Immediate Release
February 19, 2019
Victoria, BC – Today’s provincial budget includes a host of positive clean energy initiatives that include significant investments to support the CEVforBC™ Program and ongoing development of a fast charging network for electric vehicles, says the President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.
In total, the 2019 Budget provides over $902 million for CleanBC to reduce air pollution and save families money through the Clean Energy Vehicle Program, incentives for energy-saving home improvements, a net-zero building code, and programs to help communities transition to cleaner energy sources
Of prime importance to New Car Dealers is news that the CEVforBC™ Program will be topped up by $42 million for point of sale incentives of up to $6,000 for qualifying EV or Hydrogen vehicles. Budget 2019 suggests, a further $6 million will be available to support light duty fleets in shifting to clean energy vehicles and $1 million will be invested in program implementation and public outreach.
A total of $30 million will be invested to make it easier to charge an electric vehicle or fuel a hydrogen vehicle including: $20 million to support new public fast-charging and hydrogen fueling stations, $5 million to support home and workplace charging stations and $5 million for charging stations at highway rest areas and BC Government buildings.
“BC’s New Car Dealers are pleased to see a continuing strong commitment to CEVforBC™ Point of Sale Incentives along with a commitment to further invest in charging infrastructure,” said Blair Qualey, President & CEO. “These key investments will help continue BC’s nation-leading adoption of clean energy vehicles in the next three years as we engage with government on the development of a workable system for Zero Emission Vehicle sales quotas across BC beginning in 2025.”
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 running from March 19-24 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.
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Contact:
Kelly Gleeson
604-240-6231
[email protected]
