BC, Canada investing US$30.5m in zero-emission vehicle programme
Money will be used to reduce the price of batteries and fuel cells, as well as expanding fuelling infrastructure over the next three years
By Emma Crawford Hampel
The provincial British Columbia government in Canada is investing C$40 million (US$30.53 million) in its Clean Energy Vehicle Programme in a move intended to make zero-emission vehicles more affordable.
The money will be distributed over the next three years and will reduce the price of battery electric vehicles by C$5,000 (US$3,817) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles by C$6,000 (US$4,581). It will also go toward the expansion of charging and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure.
“Transportation accounts for nearly half of the emissions by the average BC family, and light-duty vehicles account for 14 per cent of BC’s overall emissions,” BC Minister of Environment Mary Polak said.
“With 98 per cent of our electricity in BC coming from clean or renewable sources, encouraging people to buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle is one of the best ways we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure British Columbia remains a climate action leader.”
The incentives are available on the purchase of zero-emission vehicles priced under C$77,000 (US$58,789). Combined with Scrap-it incentives, which give money toward the purchase of new bikes or electric vehicles when older vehicles are retired, in amounts ranging from C$500 (US$382) to C$6,000 (US$4,581), total rebates can run as high as C$11,000 (US$8,398).
BC Scrap-it Programme Society CEO Dennis Rogoza said the announced funding will help build consumer confidence in electric vehicles.
“Attractive incentives from both the CEV and Scrap-it programs along with added recharging infrastructure will accelerate large-scale adoption of electric vehicles in British Columbia,” Rogoza said.
The province has more than 1,100 charging stations, making it the largest network in the country.
