Clean Energy Vehicle incentive program returns to B.C.
St. Paddy’s day may have been a couple of weeks ago, but folks in B.C. have another reason to go green again with the start of phase two of B.C.’s Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) program on April 1.
About $7.5 million in electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle sale incentives will be available from now until March 31, 2018, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
“With the Clean Energy Vehicle program, we’re providing incentives that will make electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles more affordable for British Columbians, and expanding the charging and fuelling infrastructure to make it easier to ‘fill the tank,” says Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines.
Consumers thinking about purchasing or leasing a new battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle are eligible to receive up to a $5,000 rebate, and up to $6,000 if the power is provided by a hydrogen fuel cell, like the new Hyundai Tucson FCEV.
Bennett says phase one of the CEV program — that expired last spring — encouraged over 900 electric cars to find new homes and also spurred the installation of more than 1,000 charging stations across B.C., resulting in the reduction of approximately 57,000 tonnes of vehicle emissions.
Some quick stats: vehicles are responsible for nearly half of the province’s household greenhouse gas emissions; a CEV reduces emissions by 5.6 tonnes per year when compared to a conventional 2000 model year or older vehicle; a CEV reduces emissions by 3 tonnes per year when compared to a new gasoline-powered vehicle, according to a news release by the provincial government.
For drivers who hadn’t considered an alternative-energy automobile previously for whatever reason, manufacturers now offer several options that would appeal to even the most die-hard fan of traditional internal combustion. Here are some examples of what’s available.
BMW i3
Type: battery electric vehicle (with optional gasoline Range Extender)
Form factor: five-passenger hatchback
Base MSRP: $45,000
Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid
Type: plug-in electric hybrid vehicle
Form factor: five-passenger mid-size crossover SUV
Base MSRP: $86,600
Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid
Type: plug-in electric hybrid vehicle
Form factor: five-passenger sedan
Base MSRP: $110,000
Toyota Prius Plug-in
Type: plug-in electric hybrid vehicle
Form factor: five-passenger hatchback
Base MSRP: $35,905
Read more about the CEV phase 2 program on the website.
