B.C. to End Zero-Emission Vehicle Rebates After May 15

British Columbia, one of the leading Canadian provinces for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption, will put an end to its Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program after May 15.

“During this time of economic instability, the Province is reviewing programs to ensure that they best meet the needs of people in B.C.,” according to the Zero-Emission Vehicle Update 2024 report published on Tuesday.

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The government will be pausing the program to consider the next steps in view of progress to date and the end of the federal government’s ZEV rebates last January.

Since 2011, B.C. has invested more than $650 million to drive the transition to cleaner transportation. There are now 195,000 ZEVs on B.C. roads, up from just 5,000 in 2016. The charging infrastructure is also one of Canada’s largest with more than 7,000 stations in place. 

“The Province is committed to working with automakers and dealers to determine the best ways to continue supporting ZEV adoption in B.C.,” the report said. “This work will form part of a broader comprehensive review of CleanBC programs, details of which will be announced soon.”

Obviously, the news comes as a slap in the face for B.C. consumers and the auto industry. Global Automakers of Canada (GAC), which represents 16 foreign manufacturers, is “dismayed.”

“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,” said GAC President and CEO David Adams.

After pressing B.C. to revise its ambitious ZEV sales mandates, Adams now wants them to be dropped and the province to work with automakers “to provide consumers and automakers relief in this challenging affordability environment, while still working towards our shared climate goals,” he added.