British Columbia has decided to discontinue an electric vehicle rebate program that was paused six months ago and is abandoning a requirement for all new vehicles sold in the province to be zero-emission by 2035.
Energy Minister Adrian Dix is transferring the responsibility for setting goals, providing cash incentives, and addressing the issue of high electric vehicle prices to Ottawa.
Dix mentioned that the previous targets of achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle sales and a 90% target by 2030 were no longer feasible. He stated that the rebates were considered a federal responsibility and were not meant to be a permanent fixture of the provincial scheme, which offered up to $4,000 in incentives for battery-electric vehicle buyers before the program was halted in May.
Dix informed reporters in Victoria that the NDP government plans to introduce legislation next year to adjust British Columbia’s mandates to align with forthcoming targets from the federal government. He emphasized the importance of setting achievable targets based on efforts rather than mere expectations.
While the specific new targets have not been finalized due to ongoing reviews under CleanBC, the province’s climate plan, and the federal government’s mandate review, federal officials announced plans to unveil proposed changes to their electric vehicle sales mandate in the upcoming winter.
Dix emphasized the need for harmonizing British Columbia’s mandate with Ottawa’s to enhance efficiency. He also partially attributed the inflation of electric vehicle prices to significant tariffs imposed by Ottawa on EVs manufactured in China, stating that resolving this issue was the responsibility of the Canadian government.
Despite potential revisions to later mandates, Dix highlighted that all automakers are on track to meet a 26% sales target for 2026. He stressed the importance of ensuring access to electric vehicles for British Columbians.
Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., expressed support for the interim measures announced by Dix’s ministry, emphasizing the need for affordability considerations in the review of zero-emission vehicle mandates.
While provincial rebates are no longer in effect, Dix mentioned that the government would implement substantial regulatory changes to bolster EV sales. These changes include expanding the range of vehicles eligible for a zero-emission vehicle credit program for automakers and introducing incentives to encourage improved access to financing for EV buyers.
Dix emphasized the importance of automakers taking up these steps to benefit consumers in British Columbia. The announcement follows concerns raised by the Energy Futures think tank about the feasibility of achieving the 90% sales target by 2030, citing challenges such as affordability issues, charging infrastructure gaps, and policy changes impacting EV adoption in the province.
The introduction of the zero-emission mandate in 2019 aimed to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 as part of British Columbia’s CleanBC program.