The New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) has expressed concern over the British Columbia government’s decision to pause the CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle Rebate Program.
The move comes as the auto industry braces for the impact of massive tariffs, which the group said could potentially push the price of new and used vehicles out of reach for many consumers.
The province announced that funding for the Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program will continue until May 15, 2025, after which the program will be paused for review. The Rebate Program, NCDA said, has been instrumental in promoting zero emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption. According to S&P Global Mobility, 22.8 per cent of new vehicle registrations in B.C. were ZEVs in 2024, almost the same as the year before.
Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the NCDA, emphasized the importance of the program.
“There is a lot to consider when weighing the cost and benefit of an electric vehicle, but typically, price is at the top of the list,” he said in a statement. “Over the course of the program, when there were lapses in funding, we saw a dramatic decline in ZEV sales, and we truly hope that government will see the logic in retaining the program.”
The NCDA also called for a halt to ZEV mandatory targets, saying they’re out of reach. The policy calls for 26 per cent of all light vehicles sold by 2026 to be ZEVs and 90 per cent by 2030. Failure to hit these targets would results in financial penalties for automakers, pushing some manufacturers to reduce the allocation of gas vehicles to meet quotas. This limitation in inventory, combined with tariffs, is expected to raise vehicle prices further, NCDA warned.
It noted a forecast from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants that predicted a best-case scenario of 57 per cent ZEV sales by 2030.
“By keeping its foot on the mandate accelerator, government will be inviting unintended consequences that will negatively impact the economy, our sector, and most notably, consumers,” Qualey warned.
He did acknowledge the financial challenges facing the province
“It’s unfortunate they have removed an ongoing commitment to clean energy vehicle adoption because it can’t all be on the backs of vehicle manufacturers which have invested billions into the technology,” Qualey said.
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