Looking to Switch to an EV? These Rebates Make It Easier!
We’ve dedicated a lot of time and space to discussing Vancouver and BC electric vehicle charging rebates. However, while many drivers have made the switch from gas-powered vehicles to EVs, there’s still a lot of progress to be made on that front. Luckily, the electric car rebate options in BC are just as robust as the rebates for charging stations!
At TCA Electric, we’ve embraced the EV revolution since the beginning. We’ve installed countless home EV chargers over the years, helping more and more drivers achieve freedom from the gas pump. If you’re ready to make the switch to an electric vehicle, you may be intimidated by the price tag, but there are several incentives available to make that switch more affordable. Let’s take a look.
BC Go Electric Passenger Car Rebate
The main electric car rebate in BC is the Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate from CleanBC, which provides up to $4,000 off the purchase price of a new battery electric passenger vehicle. This incentive can be applied to a variety of vehicles, including both cars (sedans, two-seaters, compacts, and more) as well as larger vehicles such as SUVs and minivans. This program also provides rebates for the purchase of plug-in hybrid vehicles with shorter electric ranges, but only up to $2,000 rather than the $4,000 available for full-fledged EVs.
Approval rates are based on income and require submission of an application for this rebate. To be eligible, drivers must live in BC, have a valid BC license, and meet specific income requirements at the time of application.
Federal iZEV Program
In addition to provincial rebates, BC residents can also take advantage of the federal electric car rebate via the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program. This program provides incentives for purchasing and leasing a wide range of battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and long-range plug-in hybrids. Incentives range up to $5,000 (or up to $2,500 for shorter-range hybrids) and are applied at the point of sale within Canada.
This program runs until 2025 or until funding runs out, so be sure to take advantage.
BC SCRAP-IT Program
Finally, for those with older gas-powered vehicles, the SCRAP-IT Program is a great option. This program provides an incentive for drivers to move on from older, higher-emission vehicles and switch over to electric vehicles or hybrids, thereby reducing emissions within BC.
This program is offered in limited quantities each year, but the incentive is a bit more balanced between fully electric vehicles and shorter-range hybrids, with up to $500 available for the purchase of the former and $400 for the latter.
Or Take All of the Above!
Taken alone, each of the above electric car rebate programs is a great option for BC drivers. Luckily, BC drivers don’t have to choose one over the others! At this time, all three of these programs can be combined, resulting in a dramatic reduction in the cost of a new electric vehicle. Electric vehicles are being incentivized more than ever before, meaning now is an excellent time to make the switch and save.
Get More from Your EV With a Home Charging Station
In addition to rebates, there are many other ways to save on EV ownership. The above incentives drastically reduce the sticker price of a new electric vehicle or hybrid, but to truly get the most from EV ownership requires a home EV charging station. Home chargers enable drivers to achieve complete freedom from public fueling stations, charging in the most convenient and affordable way possible—right from your garage or driveway.
TCA Electric is Vancouver’s go-to EV charging experts. Our licensed and qualified electricians have installed a wide range of residential EV charging stations from brands like Tesla, FLO, ChargePoint, and more. We’ll work with you to help choose the ideal charger for your new EV and to make the most of the many EV charger rebates still available. With our expertise in all things EV charging, we can help make the switch to an electric vehicle as smooth as possible. Contact us today!