B.C. reduces rebates for electric, fuel-cell cars

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — B.C. drivers intending to buy a new electric or fuel-cell car won’t be getting as much money from the province as drivers in the past, according to the Ministry of Energy.

The announcement came in a release issued by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources on Saturday, saying the reduction is due to the recent introduction of a rebate from the federal government.

“The provincial rebate will be reduced to $3,000 for battery, fuel-cell, and longer-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles,” the statement said.

Previously, the provincial rebate amounts were $6,000 for a hydrogen-fuel cell car, and $5,000 for a new electric car.

According to the release, the reduction is meant to ensure that the program supports the purchase of “the most affordable vehicles.”

Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association Director Bruce Stout says though the move was sudden, he approves.

“I personally feel this was the right move on the government’s point, to reduce it from $5,000 to $3,000 because the money would go farther and more people would be able to get into an electric car because the money wasn’t run out as quickly,” he says.

“I think while the reduction in the rebate is going to cause some pain for some people, it’s also going to encourage more people and provide more headroom for more people to get electric vehicle rebates,” Stout says.

“If you had $15,000 that you could give in rebates, under the old system that made three people very happy. Under the new system that will make five people very happy but they’ll only get $3,000. So I think it’s a good move on the government’s part to include people in getting more rebates and encouraging more people to buy electric cars.”

The rebate program formerly included cars priced up to $77,000 but will now apply only to cars priced below $55,000.