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The British Columbia government said it will increase the maximum rebate for electric vehicles to $4,000 — an increase of $1,000 — as part of a new program aimed at those who need it most.
Combined with federal rebates, British Columbians can now get up to $9,000 to buy a new electric car.
The provincial EV rebate program will be available to individuals earning less than $80,000 per year. It will apply to the purchase or lease of fully electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles and long-distance hybrids.
British Columbians looking to buy lower-end hybrids will see the maximum provincial rebate rise to $2,000 from $1,500.
“We are improving our rebate program to make EVs more affordable and accessible to more families,” Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Minister Bruce Ralston said in a prepared statement.
The maximum rebates will also apply to households with a total annual income of up to $125,000.
Individuals with annual income between $80,001 and $100,000 can still apply for rebates, but they will be reduced, ranging from $500 to $2,000.
Those with individual incomes over $100,000 or household incomes over $165,000 will not be eligible for BC government rebates.
According to the province, the targeted program will cover 90 percent of British Columbians based on 2020 tax returns.
In addition to the increased rebates, several new vehicle types will be eligible under the provincial program. EV minivans, SUVs and pickups coming to market will qualify for rebates if their retail price is $70,000 or less.
The price cap for compact and full-size cars remains at a maximum of $55,000.
On a per capita basis, electric vehicle purchases in British Columbia outpaced any other jurisdiction in North America, accounting for 17 percent of new vehicle sales in the first quarter of 2022.
There are now more than 85,000 electric vehicles registered in British Columbia, up from about 5,000 in 2016.
Electric vehicles are already exempt from provincial sales tax. Other incentives provided by provincial and federal governments can cover up to 75 percent of the cost of installing EV charging stations at workplaces, single-family homes and apartments.
The number of public chargers has risen to more than 3,100 in 2021, up from 781 in 2016.
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