The provincial government is investing $40 million in its Clean Energy Vehicle Program in a move intended to make zero-emission vehicles more affordable.
The money will be distributed over the next three year and will reduce the price of battery electric vehicles by $5,000 and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles by $6,000. It will also go toward the expansion of charging and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure.
“Transportation accounts for nearly half of the emissions by the average B.C. family, and light-duty vehicles account for 14% of B.C.’s overall emissions,” B.C. Minister of Environment Mary Polak said.
“With 98% of our electricity in B.C. coming from clean or renewable sources, encouraging people to buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle is one of the best ways we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure British Columbia remains a climate action leader.”
The incentives are available on the purchase of zero-emission vehicles priced under $77,000. Combined with Scrap-it incentives, which give money toward the purchase of new bikes or electric vehicles when older vehicles are retired, in amounts ranging from $500 to $6,000, total rebates can run as high as $11,000.
BC Scrap-it Program Society CEO Dennis Rogoza said the announced funding will help build consumer confidence in electric vehicles.
“Attractive incentives from both the CEV and Scrap-it programs along with added recharging infrastructure will accelerate large-scale adoption of electric vehicles in British Columbia,” Rogoza said.
The province has more than 1,100 charging stations, making it the largest network in the country.
@EmmaHampelBIV
