B.C. Pulling Plug on EV Incentives Program on May 15
Along with Quebec, British Columbia has been the leading province in the move towards electric mobility in Canada. Now, it’s making like its eastern counterpart and pausing its EV incentives program (called the Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program) as it reviews the bast way forward “during this time of economic stability”, as outlined in a ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) update report published this week.
The move is also partly in reaction to the federal government ending its own iZEV EV incentives program this past January. That was already creating downward pressure on sales of EVs, which will only increase with the pause of the B.C. program. Recall that Quebec is reducing the amounts handed out under its own incentives program and plans to put an end to it altogether by 2027.
All of this is difficult news to consumers shopping for an EV and to automakers and dealers in B.C., which will face a greater uphill battle selling stocks of electrified vehicles after May 15.
The Global Automakers Group of Canada (GAC), which represents 16 foreign carmakers operating in Canada, has already reacted to the B.C. government’s decision, saying it is “dismayed” by the move; it accuses the government of making it difficult if not impossible for automakers to the meet the province’s EV sales mandats.
“Automakers are making significant investments and doing their part to support the transition towards electrification but are facing significant headwinds. We need governments to focus on policies to support ZEV demand, not make it harder for drivers to make the switch.”
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