There’s good news for potential buyers of clean energy vehicles (CEVs) in British Columbia. If you thought you had missed out on your chance to save up to $5000 on a qualifying CEV, don’t worry: the province’s point-of-sale incentive program has been extended for another year.
The Clean Energy Vehicles for British Columbia program—which provides BC residents with up to $5000 off the pre-tax sticker price for qualifying new battery electric, fuel-cell electric, plug-in hybrid electric and compressed natural gas vehicles—was originally due to wind up on March 31.
To build on the sales momentum created by the program over the past 16 months, $2.5 million will be carried over from the original $14.3 million Clean Energy Vehicle Program to extend it through the 2013-14 fiscal year. The New Car Dealers Association of B.C. will continue to manage, administer and promote the program on behalf of the province.
In addition, the LiveSmart BC Residential Charging Point Rebate Program—which provides rebates of up to $500 per unit for residential electric charging stations that meet identified eligibility requirements—has also been extended for another year.
Clean Energy Vehicle Program achievements so far include:
• 431 vehicles purchased to date with CEV for BC incentives.
• 111 residential charging point rebates have been issued.
• Over 500 Community Charging Infrastructure Fund supported Level 2 (240V) publicly available charging stations are expected to be in operation this spring.
• 13 direct current (DC) fast-charging stations are being strategically located along the Highway 1 corridor this spring.
• $600,000 in funding for design, research and curriculum development on clean energy vehicles provided to a range of post-secondary institutions, as well as BC Hydro and multi-family housing associations.
