For immediate release
April 1, 2022
Vancouver, BC – Blair Qualey, the President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC, issued the following statement today in response to a 2021 Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Update that shows ZEVs represent 13% of all new light vehicle sales in BC in 2021 – the highest rate in North America on a per capita basis:
“More than a dozen years ago, the notion of ZEVs making a dent in BC’s new car market was unthinkable. Today, the province is a leader, thanks to a thoughtful and strategic approach that has guided our efforts.
Three pillars have remained constant – point of purchase rebates, access to charging stations in places where people live, work and play, and ongoing education and awareness about the benefits of EV ownership. Another key aspect of our success is the level of partnership and collaboration that has been created with industry, government, utility companies including charging station suppliers and energy producers. An ongoing commitment to the three-pillar approach will be a key aspect of encouraging ongoing ZEV uptake by BC consumers.
What is now known as the Clean BC Go Electric Vehicle Rebate Program has enjoyed significant success, growing from just over 500 vehicle purchase rebate transactions for EVs in 2013 to over 18,000 in 2021. Despite the pandemic and supply chain issues, 2021 was a milestone year, with the highest number of rebates processed in the history of the Program.
The course we have charted creates a path for continued success and a host of benefits. It’s good for government, good for business and good for the environment.”
About the New Car Dealers Association of BC: The NCDA is the provincial industry association that represents over 400 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.
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Contact:
Kelly Gleeson
604-240-6231
[email protected]
