“The incentives are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of taking 1,400 cars off the road…”

The long awaited rebate incentives designed to encourage British Columbians to buy clean energy cars were announced this week at the Vancouver International Auto Show.

Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett announced a scheme to offer incentives of up to $5,000 for the purchase or lease of a new battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and up to $6,000 for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle,

When combined with new SCRAP-IT program incentives revealed here last week, the total savings could be up to $8,250 for an electric vehicle.

The incentives are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of taking 1,400 cars off the road and are part of Phase 2 of the Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) program. The program will distribute $10.6 million from the Province’s Innovative Clean Energy Fund over the next three years for the following purposes:

• $7.5 million for point-of-sale incentives for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
• $1.59 million for investments in charging infrastructure and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure.
• $1 million for incentives for commercial fleet purchases of clean energy vehicles
• $500,000 for research, training, and public outreach on clean energy transportation technology.

Today, electric vehicles typically cost about 25 per cent more than non-electric vehicles, but the incentives will narrow that price gap. Electric vehicle owners typically save about 75 per cent on their fuel costs, which adds up to $1,600 per year.

An analysis will be conducted to identify gaps in the location of charging infrastructure and determine the most effective way to deploy infrastructure funding. This will include looking at what locations (multi-unit residential buildings, downtown parking areas, shopping centres etc.) would best support increased adoption of electric vehicles.

The first phase of the CEV program ran from 2011 to 2014 and helped support the purchase of 950 electric vehicles and the development of over 1,000 charging stations, and resulted in 57,000 tonnes of direct emissions reductions – equivalent to taking approximately 1,000 vehicles off the road.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines will administer and implement the CEV program through partnerships with the New Car Dealers Association of British Columbia, the Fraser Basin Council, and the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association.

Quote:

Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. is delighted with the announcement.

“Our members are seeing increasing interest from consumers in purchasing electric vehicles and this program will provide many with the incentive they need to make a purchase.”

Visitors to the Vancouver International Auto Show, which closes on Sunday, will have the opportunity to take a clean energy vehicle for a spin. Most manufacturers are also showing their clean energy vehicles inside the Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre West.

(Contact the writer at keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca)

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Vancouver International Auto Show

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre West

Show Hours & Pricing – Weekdays, Noon – 10 pm, admission $15*; Saturday, 10 am – 10 pm, admission $17*; Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm, admission $17*

*Discounts for seniors (65+), students with valid ID, children ages seven -12 (except Tuesday), multi-day passes, and family packs.

For more information and to purchase tickets: www.VancouverInternationalAutoShow.com.